Israel plans to request significant military compensation from the United States in response to a proposed $25 billion F-35 fighter jet sale to Saudi Arabia. Washington has previously withheld some advanced weapons systems from Tel Aviv, but Israel intends to use this deal as leverage. The potential sale marks the first time an Arab nation would acquire the F-35, the US military's most sophisticated warplane. A source indicated Israel desires to maintain its military superiority in West Asia by being the sole regional operator of the F-35.However, US officials clarified that Saudi Arabia would only receive the aircraft in five years and without all the advanced features Israel possesses. Israel aims to leverage this situation to gain access to classified US weapons development, including space-based systems. Furthermore, Tel Aviv wants to collaborate on developing its own missile defense systems like Arrow 4 and Arrow 5. Israel is also seeking advanced munitions previously denied, such as bunker-busters and autonomous strike systems. The US sale has raised concerns among some US defense officials about potential Chinese espionage of critical technologies. Despite these developments, Israel asserts its operational advantage stems from pilot experience, not solely aircraft technology.