Saudi Arabia, a traditional ally of the United States, has long been keen to acquire the F-35 Lightning II, a fifth-generation fighter jet with stealth capabilities. But with the Pentagon dragging its feet, Saudi Arabia is reportedly looking for alternatives.
Amid evolving security challenges posed by rogue states and non-state actors in the Persian Gulf, Saudi Arabia formally expressed interest in acquiring an F-35 stealth aircraft in 2017, days after making a similar request, as it seeks to strengthen its air power. expressed. Made by the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
But the cash-rich kingdom faces multiple obstacles in purchasing the U.S. stealth fighter jets. For example, Saudi Arabia is accused of widespread human rights violations and killings of civilians through its intervention in Yemen’s civil war.
The United States is also wary of Riyadh’s increasing military cooperation with China. The Department of Defense closely protects the F-35 platform and remains vigilant against potential compromise of its sensitive technology.
However, the biggest obstacle to Saudi Arabia’s acquisition of the F-35 is US obligations to Israel. The United States and Israel have a long-standing agreement that U.S. military equipment supplied to Israel “must have superior performance” compared to equipment sold to Israel’s neighbors.
This essentially means that US arms sales in the region cannot threaten Israel’s “qualitative military superiority.” Currently, Israel is the only country operating the F-35 in the entire Middle East.
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When the White House announced in May 2024 that the two countries were negotiating a bilateral defense agreement, there was optimism that a potential F-35 deal would be back on the table. Pentagon officials did not commit to a sale and said it was important to discuss the F-35 because Riyadh has long wanted a stealth fighter.
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More than six months later, while the Pentagon balks at a potential F-35 sale, the kingdom has begun looking for alternatives to expand its fleet.
Military watchers have long predicted that the Saudi kingdom could opt for fourth-generation or higher-generation aircraft such as France’s Dassault Rafale or Eurofighter Typhoon, but new reports suggest the kingdom could opt for a stealth This suggests that the United States may be planning to invest in a highly capable fifth-generation fighter jet. aircraft. But what are the options?
F-35 replacement
Currently, only three countries operate fifth-generation stealth fighters: the United States, China, and Russia. The United States is effectively left out of the equation, with Russia and China the only options emerging as available options.
China has two fifth-generation stealth aircraft in its fleet: the J-20 Mighty Dragon and the newly unveiled J-35. Since China is unlikely to export the J-20 for security reasons, the J-35A, which is designed with export in mind, is the only option for interested buyers.
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If the media claims are true, Pakistan has already decided to purchase the aircraft just a month after the official announcement.
For Saudi Arabia, which has already purchased Chinese military equipment in the past (including combat drones), the J-35 stealth aircraft may seem like a viable alternative.
Unlike the United States and China, Russia has one stealth fighter available: the Su-57 Feron. They are also pursuing joint development of the Su-75 Checkmate, but so far they have not had much success. Russia has stepped up its Su-57 export campaign and is actively targeting the Middle East market.
Saudi Arabia has not expressed any clear interest in Chinese or Russian fifth-generation fighter jets. The Kingdom is under pressure from Washington not to buy fifth-generation fighter jets from Russia or China, according to reports.
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Is Türkiye’s Khan for Saudi Arabia?
Latest reports in Turkish local media say that Saudi Arabia is considering purchasing 100 KAAN fifth-generation stealth fighters from Turkey.
Turkish and Saudi defense officials, including Saudi Arabian Air Force Commander Turki bin Bandar Al Saud, Saudi Deputy Defense Minister Khaled bin Hussein Al Biyali, and Turkish Defense Industries President Haluk Golgun, will be in Istanbul. It is reported that high-level talks were held. The three-day talks aimed to foster cooperation on key defense initiatives, including KAAN.
This development follows the purchase of Türkiye’s Akinci drone by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. “Saudi Arabia may seek joint production and technology transfer for KAAN, similar to the deal made for the Bayraktar Akinci UCAV,” argues Turkiye Today.
EuroAsian Times was unable to independently corroborate the Turkish media’s claims.
Manufactured by Turkish Aerospace Industries (TUSAŞ), KAAN made its maiden flight in February, placing Turkey among the elite countries that have independently developed fifth-generation aircraft. In May this year, Turkey announced that at least 20 fifth-generation aircraft will be delivered to the Turkish Air Force by 2028.
Some experts believe that although the KAAN was conceived as an air superiority fighter, it has evolved into a multi-role fighter more akin to the F-35. But unlike the combat-enhanced F-35 Lightning II, which Saudi Arabia is interested in, the KAAN has not even entered service yet.
The F-35’s impeccable performance was recently demonstrated by the Israeli Air Force, which deployed the aircraft to conduct air strikes against Iran and other regional targets. The F-35 also patrols NATO airspace, effectively making it the mainstay of Europe’s deterrence force. Additionally, the F-35 is a seasoned stealth aircraft with many years of technological maturity, unlike KAAN, which is still in its very early stages.
Notably, Turkish Aerospace Industry General Manager Temel Kotil made the bold claim in May 2024 that “this aircraft is better than the (US) F-35.”
“The F-35 carries 6 tons of ammunition. It carries 10 tons. The F-35 has two engines, whereas the F-35 has one engine. “This means the radar can shine farther,” he added. Kotil also talked about his short-term goals for the future. “We plan to deliver 20 KAAN aircraft by 2028. We will deliver more aircraft from 2030 to 2033, and Turkey’s fleet will consist of several hundred KAAN aircraft. ”
He emphasized the need for the National Combat Aircraft (KAAN) to be 100% indigenous, saying, “We are also manufacturing engines. We have to. Hopefully by 2028-2029. , we will be able to fly KAAN with our engines. We cannot rely on other countries for such important technology.”
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However, these claims caused an uproar. Pro-US military critics retaliated on social media, claiming the Lockheed Martin F-35 could carry a payload of 6 to 10 tons. At the time, military analysts said that Turkey may no longer need the F-35, but that the Turkish aircraft is superior to the F-35, despite claiming that its payload is better. He emphasized that this does not mean that it is, or even close to it.
A detailed EurAsian Times article about KAAN’s features can be read here.
Interestingly, despite the development of KAAN, Turkey has not completely abandoned its desire to purchase the F-35, further underscoring the usefulness and combat capabilities of the American stealth jet in the modern battlefield. .
On November 26, Turkey’s Defense Minister Yaşar Güler said, “They see our progress with KAAN and their position seems to be changing.” They indicate that they may be willing to deliver. We have officially resubmitted our offer to purchase the F-35. ”
