Jerusalem will continue its efforts to supply Israeli Air Force pilots with “the best tools,” while preventing its enemies from obtaining the same technology, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Wednesday.
“Israel’s air superiority in the Middle East is a cornerstone of our national security,” Netanyahu declared, speaking at the graduation ceremony for new aircrew members at the IAF’s Hatzerim Airbase.
“Despite the display of power that resonated throughout the region around us, we do not let our guard down for a moment. Our enemies seek to rearm and strike again,” the prime minister continued. “We do not seek confrontations, but remain vigilant to every possible danger.
“We will continue our effort to equip our outstanding pilots with the best tools—and, I add, to prevent those who must be prevented from obtaining them,” he said.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said that Jerusalem was closely monitoring the Iranian regime, adding: “Naturally, I cannot elaborate beyond this.”
“One principle is undisputed: what was before Oct. 7 [2023] will not be again. We will not allow threats of annihilation against the State of Israel,” he continued.
“The exceptional capabilities of the Israeli Air Force will continue to form the backbone of Israel’s freedom of action, and which we will continue to preserve in the future,” concluded Katz.
Netanyahu warned of “new threats” in a speech two months ago, in a veiled reference to the growing influence of Turkey and Qatar, which have both sought to purchase F-35 stealth fighter jet squadrons from U.S.-based Lockheed Martin, according to a Israel Hayom report.
U.S. President Donald Trump is said to hold Ankara and Doha in high regard, while Jerusalem views both countries as destabilizing forces.
Currently, the Israel Defense Forces is the sole military in the region that has the F-35. While Jerusalem agreed to the United States selling F-35s to the UAE, subject to several security guarantees, the agreement failed to actualize due to the Biden administration’s demand to restrict the use of the jets.
Trump announced on Nov. 18 that the United States would sell Saudi Arabia F-35 jets that are “pretty similar” to those that the IDF operates.
Israel would “like you to get planes of reduced caliber,” Trump told Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman during an Oval Office meeting. “I don’t think that makes you too happy,” he added. “As far as I’m concerned, I think they are both at a level where they should get top of the line,” Trump said of Jerusalem and Riyadh.
However, Reuters cited U.S. officials as saying that the fighter jets Trump intends to sell to Saudi Arabia will be less advanced than those operated by the Jewish state, and Netanyahu reportedly received assurances that the proposed sale will not imperil Jerusalem’s qualitative military edge.
Israel’s military has unique permission to modify F-35 fighter jets, allowing it to integrate its own weapons systems and add radar-jamming and other upgrades without requiring U.S. approval.
