F-35

The F-35 is a U.S.-manufactured advanced fighter jet that is exported to allied and partner countries as part of defense cooperation.

Acquisition of advanced U.S. military equipment, such as the F-35 fighter jet, is commonly associated with security partnerships and can signal strategic alliance value between purchaser countries and the United States.

Proposals to sell advanced U.S. military aircraft such as the F-35 to Saudi Arabia raise concerns about potential Chinese access to U.S. technology and about preserving Israel's qualitative military edge.

Mohammed bin Salman has sought a U.S. defense pact, access to advanced artificial-intelligence chips, procurement of advanced F-35 fighter jets, and a civilian nuclear cooperation agreement that analysts say could involve enrichment outside Saudi territory and the deployment of U.S. nuclear weapons systems on Saudi soil.

As of 2025-11-18, F-35 fighter jets are operated in the Middle East only by Israel.

As of 2025-11-18, Israel was the only Middle Eastern country that had obtained F-35 fighter aircraft.

Israel operates F-35 fighter aircraft.

The United States primarily sells the F-35 fighter jet to formal military allies, including NATO member states and Japan.

As of 2025, Israel is the only country in the Middle East that operates the F-35 fighter jet.

The acquisition or transfer of advanced stealth fighters such as the F-35 can change regional military balances and affect another country's qualitative military edge (QME).

The F-35 is a fifth-generation stealth multirole fighter aircraft that is widely regarded as one of the world's most advanced combat aircraft.

A recurring national-security concern in deliberations over exporting F-35s is the risk that the aircraft's sensitive technology could be stolen or otherwise transferred to third countries such as China, especially when potential buyers maintain close ties with those third countries.

As of 2025, Israel was the only country in the Middle East operating F-35 fighter jets.

The 2020 Abraham Accords included an agreement under which Israel accepted the United States supplying F-35 jets to the United Arab Emirates subject to several security guarantees.

Rare-earth permanent magnets are key components in multiple defense platforms, including F-35 fighter jets, Virginia-class and Columbia-class submarines, Tomahawk missiles, and radar systems.

Rare-earth magnets are used in a range of products, including electric (battery) vehicles and military aircraft such as the F-35 fighter jet.

U.S. officials have expressed concerns that selling F-35 fighter jets to foreign states could risk Chinese access to sensitive U.S. technology and could affect Israel's qualitative military edge.

The F-35 is a U.S. stealth multirole fighter aircraft (commonly described as a stealth fighter jet).

The F-35 is an advanced multirole stealth fighter aircraft that is sought after by multiple countries and is often considered a high-value defense acquisition.