Malcolm Rivera
The Middle East has long been a tinderbox of competing interests, and the sale of advanced weaponry often complicates the region's delicate diplomatic balance. The US has recently reinforced its military presence in the Middle East with more warplanes, citing tensions with Iran and the Yemen-based Houthis. The US has also sought to sell the F-35, a sophisticated stealth fighter jet, to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), despite opposition from Israel, who fears losing its military superiority in the region. This deal has the potential to upset the already fragile diplomatic relations in the Middle East, as Israel has long been the only country in the region allowed to purchase the F-35.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| American-made warplane | F-35 stealth fighter jet |
| Warplane recipient | Israel |
| Warplane usage | Flown over Lebanon, Syria and the Gaza Strip |
| Warplane deployment | First combat mission in 2018 |
| Warplane provider | America |
| America's intention | To sell F-35s to the United Arab Emirates |
| Obstacle | Israel objects |
| America's other actions | Sent additional aircraft to the Middle East in October 2024 |
| America's intention | To reassure its allies in the Middle East |
| America's other actions | Sent planes to replace more advanced aircraft |
| America's other actions | Deployed Patriot missile defense systems to Saudi Arabia |
| America's other actions | Sent B-1 bombers from Texas to strike targets in Iraq and Syria |
| America's other actions | Ramped up attacks against the Yemen-based Houthis |
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What You'll Learn
- Israel's advanced testing of American-made F-35 stealth fighter jets
- The US's commitment to Middle Eastern allies' security
- The US's interception of Iranian attacks on Israel
- The sale of F-35s to the United Arab Emirates opposed by Israel
- The ineffectiveness of A-10 Thunderbolt II attack planes to reassure Middle Eastern allies
Israel's advanced testing of American-made F-35 stealth fighter jets
Israel has long been committed to the principle that it should be the first country in the Middle East to receive new fighter aircraft. In 2006, the Israeli Air Force stated that the F-35 was a key part of its recapitalization plans, intending to buy over 100 F-35A fighters at an estimated cost of over $5 billion. Israel was reinstated as a partner in the development of the F-35 in 2006, after its participation was put on hold following the Chinese arms deal crisis.
In 2010, a ministerial panel approved the purchase of 20 F-35 fighter jets, despite opposition from senior defense officials over the high cost of the deal. The total cost of each aircraft was approximately $96 million, with additional expenses for training, simulators, spare parts, and infrastructure. The first two F-35I jets arrived in December 2016, and the stealth fighter was declared operational in 2017.
In 2018, Israeli pilots flew American-made F-35 stealth fighter jets over Lebanon, Syria, and the Gaza Strip, marking the plane's first combat missions. Israel's advanced testing of the F-35 gave it a unique military advantage in the region, as it received the weapons before America's other allies.
In recent years, Israel has continued to procure additional F-35 fighter jets, signing a $3 billion deal for 25 more jets in 2022. This deal brings Israel's total F-35I fleet to 75. However, America's desire to sell F-35s to the United Arab Emirates has faced objections from Israel, creating diplomatic complexities in the region.
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The US's commitment to Middle Eastern allies' security
The United States has long been committed to the security of its Middle Eastern allies, particularly in the context of combating Iran. This commitment has been demonstrated through the deployment of various warplanes, ships, and troops to the region. In recent years, the US has taken steps to reassure its allies, including Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, of its dedication to their security. This was particularly important after a 2019 drone attack on Saudi Arabia's oil infrastructure, which was believed to have been executed by Iran. In response, the US deployed Patriot missile defense systems to the kingdom, a significant show of support.
The US has also been active in intercepting attacks on its allies. In April 2024, US warplanes and ships successfully intercepted dozens of drones and missiles fired at Israel by Iran. The US has also conducted its own attacks on Iranian targets. In February of that year, a pair of B-1 bombers took off from Texas and flew a round trip of over 30 hours to strike 85 Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps Quds Force targets in Iraq and Syria. This was in retaliation for an attack by IRGC-backed militias that killed three US service members.
The US has also been willing to sell advanced weaponry to its allies in the region. Notably, the US wants to sell F-35s to the United Arab Emirates, although this has been objected to by Israel. The US also provided Israel with F-35 stealth fighter jets in 2018, which gave Israel a unique military advantage in the region. The US has conducted extensive military exercises with Israel, such as Juniper Oak in January 2023, the largest-ever exercise between the two countries.
Despite these efforts, some US allies in the Middle East remain skeptical about America's commitment to their security. The deployment of A-10 Thunderbolt II attack planes, or "Warthogs," to the region in 2023 was met with doubt, with some believing it may even make its allies more skeptical. The US has sought to reassure its allies that these deployments are a sign of its dedication to their security and a demonstration of capability against potential threats, particularly Iran.
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The US's interception of Iranian attacks on Israel
The US has long been involved in the Middle East, with a collection of permanent bases and extensive military footprints in the region. In April 2024, US warplanes and ships intercepted dozens of drones and missiles fired by Iran at Israel, an unprecedented direct attack. The US has also shown its ability to strike targets in the Middle East without needing to have planes based in the region. For example, in February 2024, a pair of B-1 bombers took off from Texas and flew a round trip of over 30 hours, striking 85 targets in Iraq and Syria in response to an attack that killed three US service members.
The US has also been selling F-35s to the United Arab Emirates, which Israel has objected to. Israel, however, has received American-made F-35 stealth fighter jets, which they first used in combat in 2018 when they flew them over Lebanon, Syria, and the Gaza Strip. Israel often receives such weapons long before America's other allies in the region, giving it a unique military advantage.
The US has also been attempting to reassure its allies in the Middle East, especially the Arab Gulf states, of its commitment to their security. This is in response to fears that the US is not fully committed to their security, especially in the face of threats from Iran. In January 2024, the US held its largest-ever exercise with Israel, Juniper Oak. The US has also deployed F-22s and Patriots, which are better suited to countering Iran's aging fourth-generation jets and high-altitude air defenses.
The US has continued to ramp up its military presence in the Middle East as tensions between Israel and Iran flare up. In October 2024, the US sent dozens of additional aircraft to the region as Israel commenced a ground incursion against Hezbollah in Lebanon, and Iran launched another barrage of missile strikes against Israel. In March 2025, B-2 stealth bombers were also deployed to a military base in the British Indian Ocean Territory, within striking range of Iran.
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The sale of F-35s to the United Arab Emirates opposed by Israel
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has long expressed interest in acquiring the Lockheed Martin-built F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter. The UAE is a close ally of the US in the Middle East and has normalized diplomatic ties with Israel. A senior Emirati official has stated that this accord should remove any hurdle for the US to sell the F-35 stealth fighter jet to the UAE.
However, Israel has opposed the sale of F-35s to the UAE, citing the need to maintain its military superiority in the region. Israel has long maintained a policy of requiring military superiority over its neighbors to ensure an edge in wartime. It was the first country in the Middle East to operate the F-35 and has used it in combat missions over Lebanon, Syria, and the Gaza Strip.
The US guarantees that Israel receives more advanced weapons than other countries in the region, giving it a "Qualitative Military Edge". However, the sale of F-35s to the UAE could reduce Israel's military advantage. The US has sold the F-35 to other allies, including Turkey, South Korea, and Japan, but sales to the Gulf region require a deeper review due to the policy of maintaining Israel's military advantage.
The potential sale of F-35s to the UAE has complicated diplomacy in the Middle East. While the UAE and Israel have forged a new relationship due to their mutual enemy, Iran, the sale of advanced weapons to the UAE could threaten Israel's security. On the other hand, some argue that arms sales could solidify relations with a former adversary and bring lasting peace to the region.
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The ineffectiveness of A-10 Thunderbolt II attack planes to reassure Middle Eastern allies
The A-10 Thunderbolt II, nicknamed the "Warthog", is a highly effective and long-serving attack aircraft in the US Air Force's arsenal. With its fearsome GAU-8 Avenger 30mm gatling gun, excellent maneuverability at low speeds and altitudes, and ability to loiter near battle areas for extended periods, the Warthog has proven invaluable to the US and its allies.
However, the A-10 Thunderbolt II's effectiveness in combat does not necessarily translate into its ability to reassure Middle Eastern allies. The Middle East is a region fraught with complex diplomatic relations and a unique set of geopolitical challenges. The sale and deployment of military hardware in the region are often highly sensitive issues, as evidenced by the controversy surrounding America's desire to sell F-35s to the United Arab Emirates, to which Israel objected.
The A-10 Thunderbolt II's role as a close air support aircraft means it is designed to support ground troops by attacking enemy armored vehicles, tanks, and other ground forces. While this capability is undoubtedly valuable in combat situations, it may not be the primary factor in reassuring allies in the complex diplomatic landscape of the Middle East.
Additionally, the US Air Force has stated its intention to replace the A-10 Thunderbolt II with more advanced aircraft like the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II. This planned obsolescence could potentially undermine the A-10's effectiveness as a tool for reassuring allies, who may seek assurances of long-term military support and the most advanced capabilities.
Furthermore, the Middle East has been a testing ground for state-of-the-art Western warplanes, with Israel receiving advanced American-made aircraft like the F-35 stealth fighter jet before other allies in the region. This has given Israel a unique military advantage, which may further complicate the effectiveness of the A-10 Thunderbolt II in reassuring Middle Eastern allies.
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Frequently asked questions
The American-made F-35 stealth fighter jet.
The F-35 is overpriced because it is not suited for its intended purpose of countering or evading Iran's fourth-generation jets and high-altitude air defenses.
The sale of the F-35s to the United Arab Emirates is objected to by Israel. This creates tension between the two American allies in the region.
The United States wants to sell the F-35s to the United Arab Emirates and has been increasing its military presence in the Middle East to demonstrate its commitment to its allies in the region.
