The deal for 48 F-35 fighters.. How can it reshape Saudi air power in the Middle East?

[KingQamaR]

I really don’t get it why do Arabs Turks and others buy any equipment from a country US that continually threatens your sovereignty …

 

[Starlord]

You are clueless about US controlling its military hardware sold to other countries (except Zionazis)

• Software Control: The F-35 relies on millions of lines of code and network systems managed by the United States, meaning continuous combat capability requires ongoing U.S. updates and data link access.
• Supply Chain and Spares: Without a steady flow of American-controlled spare parts, technical support, and maintenance data, an international fleet would naturally and gradually become grounded over time.

Let me guess, moon landing was fake and US control the weather from device called Harrp too right?

 

[KAL-EL]

Real question is w

Dumb Middle Easterners it’s not a good idea to buy your weapons from your enemy US. Buy the Chinese J20 J35 from a reliable supplier and a friend

I highly doubt the Chinese sell Their j-20

 

[FuturePAF]

I really don’t get it why do Arabs Turks and others buy any equipment from a country US that continually threatens your sovereignty …

The Saudis would indeed be better off funding the KAAN Program, especially the engine development and production. The industrial spinoffs for Saudi industrialization alone would allow them to decrease some imports, and perhaps even create new exports.

The reason for defense imports are undoubtedly to maintain influence in the US. Hence, today’s announcement is a slow (not pivot), but a careful diversification. A multi-decade project just advancing as carefully as possible.

If the Turks learn enough from the F-35, and apply it to the KAAN, then 48 KAAN fighters are better for the RSAF, then 48 invariably nerfed F-35s. Besides, Trump or any future US leader won’t be trying to force the Saudis to try to recognize Israel, every time the RSAF F-35s need support.

P.S. The engine being developed for the KAAN could be used as the basis for a common engine for the PFX, making the PFX and idea platform for Pakistan and Saudi and possibly even Turkey to cover the workhorse role; possibly even forming the future backbone of the Air Force’s of these countries and any countries looking to join the alliance.

 

[_Arabia_]

Same ethnicity do not mean peace. The Israelis absolutely hate arabs. Even their leaders often spill the truth by saying 1 Israeli life is worth 1000 arabs. I shared video other day in which Israeli settler is saying that 1 Israeli life is worth 10 million muslims.

As far as DNA similar / same region / same ethnicity is concerned, that makes things even worse in most cases. Look at North Korea and South Korea. Look at us Pakistan. Punjab and Kashmir is literally split between india and Pakistan and we are often at each other throats. The foods, language, culture, many things look same especially in close by regions but we have political differences (which matters most). Same thing with our KP region which speaks same language, customs, culture as Afghanistan southern region but again political differences. Unfortunately modern world is divided into political boundaries and rest of us (ordinary people) are just a herd / sheep mentality and will become fuel in wars and power games.

You are using examples of the biggest extremists out there. The reality is that around 2-2.5 million Israeli Arabs live within Israel with full citizenship and more or less the same rights as everyone else. They are even exempt from the otherwise obligatory military service in Israel.

Let alone 2/3 of all Israeli Jews (actual Israeli Jews) who are of Arab origin.

However what you have written is correct. The more you share with people x or y, the likelier rivalry, animosity etc. will occur. I don't deny that.

Anyway I already argued for my points which was mostly about ancient Israelite/Canaanite DNA and its extremely close connection to modern-day Saudi Arabians.

Lastly I wrote that I see Israel as an Arab country ethnically (which is factually correct no matter what they claim or call themselves) which is also located in the Arab world being historical Palestine.

Therefore I see no reason for KSA-Israel hostilities if and when a just one-state solution emerges or a just two-state solution.

Even right now, KSA should recognize Israel (they are a ground reality and they are going nowhere for 100's of obvious reasons that I do not need to write a novel about) when everyone else in the neighborhood (almost) and outside of it has done it and to various degrees enjoys benefits from doing so.

There is a reason why KSA is the crown jewel for Israel and Netanyahu. Israeli high-tech firms (in every sector) and Jewish billionaires from across the world are very eager to invest in KSA on a huge scale. There is already cooperation on a business level. Due to familial ties I have had dealings with this sector of people.

You SERIOUSLY believe that kill switches don't exist?????????.............................................................ASK the Iraqis what happened to their french mirage fighter jets in the 1st gulf war in January to February 1991. Why they had to fly those jets to Iran and why they still remain there.

PS I would LOVE for Saudi Arabia to have a world class, deadly airforce as this would scupper the plans of a greater israel as it DOES include parts of Saudi Arabia. Also, just to clarify, I am supportive and even pro-Saudi Arabian.

I have not seen any evidence of F-35's having any kill switches nor has that ever been the case with any of the US weaponry (top level) that KSA has purchased - quite a few of such US weapons are now manufactured within KSA by Saudi Arabian defense firms (public and private) and Saudi Arabian engineers.

In fact 25% of all of KSA's military needs are now localized within KSA and the goal is 50% by 2030. The rise has been very impressive and astronomical.

Saudi Defence Localisation 2030 vs Foreign Air Defence

Saudi defence localisation reached 24.89% at end-2024 against a 50% target for 2030, while Greek and Italian batteries defend Aramco facilities.

vision2030.ai

Just a few days ago, the RSAF used Saudi Arabian manufactured penetration bombs against the Houthi terrorist cultists.

I really don’t get it why do Arabs Turks and others buy any equipment from a country US that continually threatens your sovereignty …

You don't understand why KSA buys the most advanced weapons that money can buy? You don't understand why KSA has one of the world's most advanced air forces and air defense forces with PATRIOT and THAAD being key segments of this as well as the F-15SA (more advanced than the US version) and soon to be (Insha'Allah) the F-35?

Why do you think that almost nothing of value in KSA has been destroyed during the past 10 + years of warm and hot conflicts in the region despite KSA being the BY FAR largest and RICHEST country in the region?

Do you have examples anywhere in the world of something even remotely as succesfull as PATRIOT and THAAD?

And you are quite clearly clueless about KSA-China relations which are very strategic (for both parties) and cover drone warfare, laser technology, missile technology, uranium and mineral excavation and other key sectors that are not even publicly known.

Not to mention that KSA's economic ties with China are FAR greater than any other ties they have with a Muslim nation.

There are frankly too many ignorant people around here who do not know or undestand even the basics but think that their idiotic one-liners are some kind of new scientific discoveries.

 

[Aziqbal]

why not buy Turkish KAAN?

 

[Aziqbal]

American law requires that a Qualitative Military Edge for Israel be maintained in the Middle East. So, if anyone else in the Middle East receives them, they will be downgraded by design to ensure they are useless against Israel. Plus, Israeli and American militaries will soon be integrated by law, so Israelis will have instant access to all the intelligence on the hypothetical Saudi F-35s that America has.

Do you really need F-35s to bomb the Houthis?

Seems like another vanity project like Neom or Salvator Mundi.

Saudi spent over $1.3 trillion on education between 1980s to 2026

this was a effort to bring them to the top nations like Japan , South Korea and China

after 40 years and $1.3 trillion IQ only went up by 3 pts

another words you can train a camel but not a Saudi

sorry to Arabs but its true

 

[Yasser76]

Saudi spent over $1.3 trillion on education between 1980s to 2026

this was a effort to bring them to the top nations like Japan , South Korea and China

after 40 years and $1.3 trillion IQ only went up by 3 pts

another words you can train a camel but not a Saudi

sorry to Arabs but its true

Over the last few decades Saudi Air Force and Qatari AF have achived more kills then the Indian Air Force. True fact.

Also, this post is so incredibly insulting

 

[FarhanSiddiqui]

Let me guess, moon landing was fake and US control the weather from device called Harrp too right?

You are deluded my friend. Some conspiracies are true and some false you have to use your own judgement. You are generalizing everyone next you will accuse me believing flat earth theory. You yourself is limited by your beliefs.

 

[Watandar]

Saudi spent over $1.3 trillion on education between 1980s to 2026

this was a effort to bring them to the top nations like Japan , South Korea and China

after 40 years and $1.3 trillion IQ only went up by 3 pts

another words you can train a camel but not a Saudi

sorry to Arabs but its true

I think that's a bit unfair. Why should Saudis study, work or fight when brainwashed people like Pakistanis are ready to do all this for them ? and cheaply too ? It's only human nature.

 

[Starlord]

You are deluded my friend. Some conspiracies are true and some false you have to use your own judgement. You are generalizing everyone next you will accuse me believing flat earth theory. You yourself is limited by your beliefs.

Yeah like I said, moon landing was fake... I went to Kennedy space center, and saw all fake studio where they shoot the movies, i saw fake rocks from Ohio are decorated as rocks from moon, and of course US controls the weather i mean come on, everyone knows it right? Allah don't control weather, Harrp does... I mean phew, no brainer right?

 

[KingQamaR]

The Saudis would indeed be better off funding the KAAN Program, especially the engine development and production. The industrial spinoffs for Saudi industrialization alone would allow them to decrease some imports, and perhaps even create new exports.

The reason for defense imports are undoubtedly to maintain influence in the US. Hence, today’s announcement is a slow (not pivot), but a careful diversification. A multi-decade project just advancing as carefully as possible.

If the Turks learn enough from the F-35, and apply it to the KAAN, then 48 KAAN fighters are better for the RSAF, then 48 invariably nerfed F-35s. Besides, Trump or any future US leader won’t be trying to force the Saudis to try to recognize Israel, every time the RSAF F-35s need support.

P.S. The engine being developed for the KAAN could be used as the basis for a common engine for the PFX, making the PFX and idea platform for Pakistan and Saudi and possibly even Turkey to cover the workhorse role; possibly even forming the future backbone of the Air Force’s of these countries and any countries looking to join the alliance.

View attachment 209979

You made very good points on why Saudis should join Turkey Fighter program benefit's both nations . at least with the KAAN, Saudis can make like it their own built jet with their own software's and subsystems and freedom to build further improvement in future into maybe a 6th gen fighter? I forgot to add what you have already mentioned Americas f-35 components have build in Türkiye. Half kaan and the f35 are same.