I can easily see Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and UAE wanting the F-35A for their own air forces, and that would worry Israel.
The F-35 was designed for the export market, so I’m not sure that the U.S. would agree to Israeli exclusivity in the Middle East.
Turkey was an early partner and they provided funds, which helped get the F-35 program started. Since that time Turkey has, for all practical purposes, become an enemy. But it would be difficult in the present political circumstances to deny Turkey full use of a product their support helped create.
Turkey has developed close working relationships with Iran which guarantee’s Iran’s access to any F-35 technology they possess. I can’t see the present occupant of the White House denying Turkey based on this almost certain breach, though.
Please let Israel have it! Perhaps they can get it to work.
Apparently there’s more going on behind the scenes than meets the eye.
I can’t imagine 0bama or this State Dept green lighting that kind of request. How will that help the terrorists? Won’t it make it harder for Iran to ‘wipe Israel off the map’?
Does Netanyahu has some leverage most don’t know about. Otherwise it’s a shot in the dark, imo.