The F-35 dilemma: Preserving Israel’s QME in a changing Middle East

The potential sale of F-35 fighter jets to Türkiye, following positive remarks from President Trump at a NATO summit, has brought Israel's Qualitative Military Edge (QME) to the forefront of U.S.-Türkiye relations. Israel has historically invoked QME, a U.S. legal obligation, to oppose F-35 sales to regional countries, including Türkiye, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that selling F-35s to Türkiye "would destroy the power balance in the Middle East because Türkiye has aggressive aspirations."

• Türkiye was removed from the F-35 program in 2019 due to its acquisition of Russia's S-400 air defense system, triggering CAATSA sanctions.
• Despite the Abraham Accords and regional rapprochement, Israel continues to cite QME, a U.S. domestic law, to block or delay F-35 sales, even though experts suggest the F-35A variant could be sold without compromising Israel's QME.
• The article argues that strengthening U.S. partners with F-35s would enhance collective defense against common threats like Iran, rather than weaken Israel's security.
• The U.S. administration and Congress are urged to emphasize that Türkiye's integration into NATO and Western alliances, with equipment interoperability, serves Israel's security interests.