Skip to main content

F-35 deal with UAE could benefit Israeli defense industries

Israel’s leadership is against the United States selling the Emirates F-35 jets, but if the deal comes through, Israeli defense industries could also benefit.
A F-35 fighter jet is seen after landing in the Israeli Nevatim Air force base in the Negev desert, near the southern city of Beersheva, on December 12, 2016.
The first two US F-35 stealth fighters bought by Israel landed at an air base in the Jewish state this evening, an AFP journalist at the site said. Their arrival, hailed as a gamechanger by Israeli leaders, came some six hours late after aviation officials in Italy delayed the takeoff for the last stage of their journey because of poor visibility

 /

The signing of the normalization agreements between Israel, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Bahrain — with other states supposedly on the way — offers endless business opportunities for the participating countries, including the United States. One of the emerging deals involves the sale of F-35 stealth fighter jets to the UAE. That deal in return could also generate business opportunities, this time for Israeli companies.

To date, the United States has avoided formalizing this F-35 deal, not least because of Israeli opposition. Israel has its own squadron of stealth fighters, provided by the United States to ensure its longstanding commitment that Israel will maintain a qualitative military advantage in the region.

Access the Middle East news and analysis you can trust

Join our community of Middle East readers to experience all of Al-Monitor, including 24/7 news, analyses, memos, reports and newsletters.

Subscribe

Only $100 per year.