Tel Aviv: The US will probably agree to sell the F-35 stealth fighter aircraft to Qatar.
After a request to purchase F-35 stealth fighters was denied in 2020, Qatar has recently resumed talks with the US about the requested deal.
In recent weeks, Qatar formally requested Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II aircraft. As of mid-December 2025, negotiations were reportedly advanced and in progress. These talks take place in the context of improved relations between the United States and Qatar, which include Qatar’s hosting of Al Udeid Air Base.
Each F-35A costs about $80 million, and a possible sale would need US legislative permission and take years.
With 45 F-35s in operation and 30 on order, Israel is currently the only Middle Eastern F-35 operator. It is concerned that its superior military advantage may be eroding. Israel responds by requesting compensatory measures such as increased access to weapons and two more squadrons, one of F-35s and one of F-15I versions. Because there are few US production slots, officials stress the urgency.
36 Rafales, 24 Eurofighter Typhoons with 12 more ordered, and 37 of 48 F-15QAs delivered make up Qatar’s Emiri Air Force’s contemporary fleet. Its multi-role capabilities in stealth, electronic warfare, and ISR missions would be improved by F-35s.
The drive is in line with more general regional F-35 concerns for the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and other countries.
-The writer is an Israel-based freelance journalist. The views expressed are of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the views of Raksha Anirveda
