Israel expects to maintain access to more advanced U.S. weaponry, a government spokesperson said on Thursday when asked about Washington's plan to sell F-35 warplanes to Saudi Arabia.

The Prime Minister's spokesperson responded that the US and Israel have a longstanding understanding that Israel must maintain the qualitative edge when it comes to its defense

With much fanfare, President Donald Trump announced this week that he and Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman had signed a new Strategic Defense Agreement that would include the sale of stealth F-35 fighters to that country, but very few details have emerged about the agreement and what impacts it might have for the Middle East.

Donald Trump confirmed he will sell F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia during a high-profile White House meeting with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, a major shift in U.S. policy and a move he says will leave both Riyadh and Israel “very happy.

President Donald Trump has not been subtle about how badly he wants to see Saudi Arabia and Israel normalize relations. The normalization push is expected to be high on the agenda when Trump hosts Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Tuesday for talks during a pomp-filled White House visit.