Ynet has learned that the IDF General Staff yesterday (Sunday) delivered to the political echelon a professional position document from the Air Force, which presents explicit reservations about the sale of F-35 aircraft from the United States to Saudi Arabia, as US President Donald Trump announced this evening that it would move forward.

The document emphasized the importance of maintaining Israel's air superiority in the Middle East, which could be eroded if other countries in the region possess the advanced stealth aircraft or other 5th generation aircraft, mainly because of its unique detection, processing, and networking capabilities, which give Israel an advantage that others do not have.

(Photo: Air Force/Senior Airman Trevor Gordnier/Handout via REUTERS, Dana Koppel, AP/Carlos Osorio, Bandar Algaloud/Courtesy of Saudi Royal Court/Handout via REUTERS/Reuters, Bashar TALEB / AFP )

It was also noted that missions carried out by the IDF in the third circle using the Hadir aircraft are based on the Israeli exclusivity of this platform in space, which allows for covert and deep activity far from the country's borders. This exclusivity could be harmed if identical aircraft are in the hands of other armies, including Saudi Arabia.

The document also detailed the significance of the timetables in the event that the Saudis purchase F-35 squadrons from Lockheed Martin, and emphasized that this sharpens the IDF's need to acquire additional fighter squadrons to replace the outdated fleet in some squadrons, in addition to the purchase that has already been agreed upon, which includes a fourth F-35 squadron and the purchase of an F-15IA squadron from Boeing. The IDF fears that a major deal between the United States and Saudi Arabia could seize production lines, delay the supply of fighter jets to Israel, and harm the Air Force's ability to renew itself.

An IDF spokesman said in response:"The IDF presented its positions on the issue to the political echelon."

Trump: "The Saudis? Great allies"

Trump, as mentioned, confirmed this evening that the US will sell Saudi Arabia F-35 jets, a day before his visit to the White House by Mohammed bin Salman, the Saudi Crown Prince."They've been great allies," Trump said of the Saudis in a conversation with reporters in the Oval Office."They must love us very much. Look at the situation in Iran, we destroyed their nuclear capability. Yes, I say we will do it."

Last week, Trump said that he was considering selling Saudi Arabia the advanced fighter jets. Speaking to reporters on Air Force One, the president said:"They want to buy a lot. I'm considering it." He also reiterated his hope that Saudi Arabia would join the Abraham Accords and normalize relations with Israel. According to the publications, Saudi Arabia has asked the Americans to purchase 48 F-35 jets.

Minutes before Trump's announcement, a senior White House official said the president was leaning toward supporting the deal to sell the advanced jets. The official said Trump would make a final decision after meeting with bin Salman.

Trump's comments contradict a report published yesterday by the Associated Press: US administration officials told the AP that Trump was unlikely to approve the deal during bin Salman's visit to the White House. However, the officials told the AP that President Trump has a"record of acting unexpectedly," so "he may approve the deal if the crown prince convinces him."

According to the sources who spoke to AP, the US administration is concerned that selling the advanced aircraft to the Saudis will harm Israel's"qualitative advantage" in the skies of the Middle East, especially at a time when the US president needs Israel's support to implement his 20-point plan in the Gaza Strip.

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