Washington, DC, November 26 - In a pivotal development reshaping Middle East aerial dominance, the United States has greenlit the sale of F-35 Lightning II stealth fighters to Saudi Arabia, yet with stringent limitations that exclude the cutting-edge AIM-260 Joint Advanced Tactical Missile (JATM). This decision, announced amid President Donald Trump's strategic overtures to Riyadh, underscores Washington's commitment to preserving Israel's qualitative military edge (QME) amid escalating regional tensions. Defense experts emphasize that while Saudi Arabia gains access to fifth-generation stealth technology, the absence of the AIM-260, a beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile boasting over 120 miles of reach, ensures Israel's F-35I Adir fleet retains unparalleled lethality. As Saudi Arabia modernizes its Royal Saudi Air Force (RSAF) to counter Iranian threats, the deal highlights the delicate balance of U.S. arms diplomacy, where technological parity is deliberately avoided to safeguard allied superiority.
The AIM-260 JATM, a classified marvel developed since 2017 as the top-priority weapon for U.S. fifth-generation platforms, represents the pinnacle of air-to-air innovation, outpacing adversaries like China's PL-15. Douglas Birkey, executive director of the Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies, asserts that Riyadh's F-35s will likely integrate only legacy AIM-120 AMRAAM missiles, curtailing their engagement envelope against advanced foes. Israel's bespoke F-35Is, already operational for eight years, incorporate indigenous modifications such as enhanced electronic warfare suites and conformal fuel tanks, amplifying endurance without stealth penalties. This disparity aligns with U.S. law mandating QME assessments, ensuring no arms transfer erodes Jerusalem's defensive posture. Saudi Arabia's proposed acquisition of up to 48 aircraft, limited to two squadrons with delayed deliveries, further tempers any immediate shift in airpower dynamics, allowing Israel to maintain numerical and experiential advantages.
At the heart of this arrangement lies a decades-old U.S. pledge to Israel's security, codified in 2008 legislation that scrutinizes every major sale for potential imbalances. Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, have voiced guarded optimism, citing assurances from Secretary of State Marco Rubio that QME remains inviolable across all domains. The Israeli Air Force, with 45 F-35Is in service and 30 more inbound, leverages unique software integrations for superior sensor fusion and network-centric warfare, capabilities Riyadh cannot replicate under export controls. Critics warn that even downgraded F-35s could embolden Saudi assertiveness, yet proponents argue the deal fosters stability by aligning Riyadh against shared threats like Houthi drones and Iranian proxies, potentially paving the way for Abraham Accords expansion.
Ultimately, excluding the AIM-260 from Saudi F-35s fortifies the U.S.-Israel alliance while advancing broader counterproliferation goals. As deliveries unfold over the years, this calibrated transfer reinforces America's role as the Middle East's premier arms arbiter, where qualitative edges dictate deterrence. For Israel, it affirms enduring aerial supremacy; for Saudi Arabia, it signals a trusted partnership without tipping the scales. In an era of hypersonic rivalries and stealth proliferation, such precision ensures that technological might serves strategic peace, not peril.