Jet-setters:
Despite repeated interest from regional powers, the US has consistently blocked the sale of F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia and other Middle Eastern countries in order to preserve Israel’s QME.

“The US is committed to Israel’s QME and has taken this into account in its arms sales to the region,” Zain Hussain, a researcher at the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute’s arms transfers program, told The Times of Israel. “Exporting F-35s to other states in the region would present a significant shift in that policy.” Also erode Israel's superiority.

Israel today is the only country in the Middle East with F-35 fighter jets in its arsenal, currently operating 45 of the advanced aircraft with additional units on order.

“The export of the F-35 to another state in the region would potentially mean that: state acquiring stealth, data fusion, and deep-strike capabilities widely considered superior to other aircraft currently operated in the region,” Hussain said.

At the same time, he emphasized that Israel still holds a significant operational advantage:
“Israel remains the most experienced operator of the F-35 in the region and has been allowed to modify the aircraft to meet its specific needs.”

Indeed, Israel has uniquely customized its fleet of F-35s, rebranding the stealth fighter jet as the “Adir,” Hebrew for “mighty.”

Through close cooperation with Lockheed Martin, Israeli defense firms have integrated proprietary technologies into the aircraft — including advanced electronic warfare systems, enhanced command and control capabilities and locally developed weapons systems.