Israel Signals It Will Block F-35 Sale
Israel’s Deputy Foreign Minister, Sharren Haskel, has publicly stated Israel will not allow the transfer of Israeli-developed technology embedded in the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter to Türkiye, even if the United States approves a sale of the aircraft to Ankara. Israel’s position stems from strategic mistrust and concerns over regional balance and sensitive military technology.
Haskel said Israel is “concerned” about statements made by President Donald Trump indicating he is “very seriously considering” an agreement to sell F-35s to Türkiye, and added that Israeli technology will not be part of such an agreement “even if they do get those airplanes.”
That position underscores how industrial participation and export controls can shape multinational weapons programs.
Israeli officials’ remarks respond directly to the possibility Washington could approve a sale structured to exclude Israeli-origin systems. In that scenario, Israel would not exercise a direct technical veto over the aircraft themselves. However, Israeli opposition would still factor into U.S. deliberations over configuration choices, export approvals, and regional military balance assessments, particularly where qualitative military edge considerations remain implicated.
Background: Türkiye’s Exclusion From the F-35 Program
Türkiye was originally a partner in the F-35 program, joining as an industrial participant and planned recipient of dozens of aircraft. Türkiye was removed from the F-35 program in 2019 after acquiring the Russian-made S-400 air defense system, a move the United States said undermined the security of allied military technology.
As a result, the U.S. expelled Türkiye from the multinational F-35 program and halted deliveries of jets that had been built for the Turkish Air Force. Ankara has repeatedly sought reinstatement, calling its removal unfair, and the issue has resurfaced amid reports of renewed U.S.-Turkish discussions on fighter jet cooperation.
That exclusion also cut Türkiye out of the F-35 supply chain, which draws on production contributions from multiple partner nations. Israeli firms, in particular, produce key subsystems for the aircraft, including outer wing components and helmet-mounted display technology.
That embedded industrial role does not amount to a formal veto over U.S. arms sales, but it can constrain technology transfers where Israeli-origin components or third-party transfer approvals are required.
Since its removal, Ankara has pursued alternatives to maintain and modernize its air force. These include purchasing advanced European fighters such as the Eurofighter Typhoon, which the United Kingdom agreed to sell Türkiye alongside other jet deals, and advancing its own fighter development program.
Where Israeli Concerns Do and Do Not Apply
The F-35 program is a deeply integrated multinational enterprise that relies on shared technology, software, and industrial participation across partner nations. Israel operates a unique variant of the aircraft, the F-35I “Adir,” which incorporates Israeli-developed electronic warfare, avionics, and mission systems, and Israeli firms contribute components to the broader program.
However, recent reporting indicates President Trump has suggested that any F-35 sale to Türkiye could proceed without Israeli-origin technology, which would limit Israel’s direct ability to block a transfer on technical grounds.
Even with that caveat, Israeli objections remain somewhat relevant because they seem to intersect with U.S. policy considerations rather than serving as a formal veto. Israel’s concerns inform Washington’s qualitative military edge assessments, which U.S. law requires before approving major arms sales in the Middle East.
Those assessments evaluate whether a proposed transfer could erode Israel’s conventional military superiority, meaning Israeli opposition can still influence U.S. decision-making even if Israeli-specific systems are excluded from the aircraft configuration.
U.S. Policy and Legislative Hurdles
Any U.S. decision to sell F-35s to Türkiye would also have to navigate domestic policy and legal conditions. U.S. statutes such as the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA) and annual National Defense Authorization Act provisions have previously blocked the transfer of F-35 aircraft to Türkiye unless Ankara resolves outstanding issues stemming from its S-400 acquisition.
Congress also retains oversight through mandatory notification requirements and potential holds on major foreign military sales.
President Trump’s remarks suggesting serious consideration of F-35 sales to Türkiye reflect a strategic calculation about bolstering NATO’s southern flank and reinforcing U.S.-Türkiye relations. However, lawmakers have expressed a range of views, and many remain cautious about strengthening Türkiye’s access to advanced Western military technology without clear guarantees on strategic alignment and security commitments.
Regional Security Implications
Israel’s public opposition to a potential F-35 sale to Türkiye reflects deep strategic mistrust between the two countries. Diplomatic relations have deteriorated markedly over the past decade as geopolitical competition, divergent policies on Syria and Gaza, and conflicting regional ambitions have strained cooperation.
Israel views Türkiye’s support for groups hostile to its security posture as a fundamental strategic risk, and Tel Aviv’s insistence on restricting access to sensitive technology aligns with its doctrine of maintaining a qualitative edge over potential regional adversaries.
What Comes Next
The Israeli declaration that it will block technology transfers necessary for F-35 operational capability marks a significant hurdle for any effort to sell or reintegrate Türkiye into the F-35 program. It underscores how industrial participation and allied technology rights can translate into political leverage in arms export decisions.
For Washington, the key questions will be whether Turkish commitments on the S-400 can be resolved, how Congress responds to proposed sales, and whether Israeli concerns can be addressed through specific safeguards or alternative arrangements..
The broader implications extend beyond the F-35 itself. As fifth-generation combat aircraft become central to airpower and alliance interoperability, disputes over access and technology sharing highlight how political alignment, trust, and shared strategic priorities are as crucial as raw capability in shaping the future of multinational defense cooperation.
