President Donald Trump, speaking at his November 18, 2025, press conference, addressed a pointed question about whether the F-35 fighter jets being sold to Saudi Arabia would match the capabilities of the advanced aircraft operated by Israel. Trump confirmed that the jets would be “pretty similar,” while quickly adding that both nations remain “great allies,” emphasizing the strategic importance of strengthening partnerships across the region.

The F-35 sale is part of a sweeping U.S.–Saudi security package that includes 300 tanks, expanded defense cooperation, and a growing civilian-nuclear framework—steps that elevate Saudi Arabia’s status as a major non-NATO ally and deepen its alignment with Washington. The deal also signals the administration’s intent to counter regional adversaries by equipping partners with modern U.S. platforms rather than allowing them to turn to rival suppliers.

Despite the surface-level similarity, Israel’s long-protected qualitative military edge remains fully intact. Jerusalem’s fleet of 75 F-35s features proprietary Israeli enhancements, independently integrated electronic-warfare systems, and custom sensor packages that provide superior detection, targeting, and survivability. These modifications ensure that Israel maintains unmatched capabilities, even as the United States broadens security cooperation with Arab partners.

Trump’s remarks highlighted a key principle of his regional strategy: building strong defense ties with friendly governments while preserving Israel’s essential technological advantage. The press conference underscored the administration’s confidence that both goals can coexist—enhancing Saudi defense capacity without compromising Israel’s security superiority.