The United States appears poised to sell advanced F-35 fighter jets to Turkey, marking a significant shift in American policy that has long prioritised maintaining Israel’s military superiority in the Middle East. The potential sale represents a departure from decades of strategic doctrine designed to ensure Israeli dominance in the region, raising concerns among Israeli officials about the country’s ability to respond to threats from hostile neighbours.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has objected to the proposal, but Turkish officials have dismissed his concerns as an attempt to distract from other issues. The Turkish response underscores the growing tensions between two NATO allies with competing interests in the Eastern Mediterranean and broader Middle Eastern affairs. Turkey’s acquisition of the sophisticated jets would fundamentally alter the balance of military capability in the region.
The sale would represent another diplomatic setback for Israel in its efforts to influence American defence policy under the Trump administration. Analysts suggest the decision reflects broader American strategic recalibrations that may no longer prioritise maintaining Israel’s exclusive military advantage as a cornerstone of regional policy. The F-35, one of the world’s most advanced fighter aircraft, gives operators significant capabilities in air superiority, surveillance and strike operations.
Israel has long maintained qualitative military superiority as a cornerstone of its security strategy, relying on advanced technology and training to offset the numerical advantages of potential adversaries. The potential supply of cutting-edge American weapons systems to Turkey could undermine this strategic calculus and complicate Israel’s defence planning for years to come.
Source: Ynet — Original article in Hebrew.
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