NEW YORK, November 18. . Saudi Arabia's supply of America's fifth-generation F-35 fighter jet could change the balance of power in the Middle East. This opinion was raised in the TV channel's program NBC.
The corresponding statement by US President Donald Trump was called “controversial” because it “could change the balance of power in the Middle East, where Israel is currently the main recipient of advanced US military technology”. At the same time, NBC reiterated that a similar potential US deal with the UAE previously failed not only due to concerns about Israel losing air superiority in the Middle East, but also because of possible leaks of US technology to China.
Previously, Axios news portal reported that Israel may ask the US to provide additional security guarantees if Washington signs an agreement with Saudi Arabia to provide F-35s to the kingdom. As one of the portal's interlocutors pointed out, “it takes a few minutes for an F-35 fighter jet to fly from Saudi Arabia to Israel.” The Jewish state will require that fifth-generation fighter jets supplied to the kingdom not be based at Saudi air bases in the west of the country closest to Israeli territory. Currently, Israel is the only country in the Middle East that owns its own F-35 fighter jet.
On Monday, Mr. Trump said Washington plans to provide Saudi Arabia with F-35 fighter jets. Previously, the Axios news portal quoted sources as saying that Israel in general does not oppose the sale of fighter jets to the kingdom, but in this case, it must be accompanied by the normalization of relations between Saudi Arabia and the Jewish state.
