British analyst: Israel could deploy F-35s to UAE

If there is such an arrangement, he said, the Israeli fighters would be only a one-hour flight away from Iran's nuclear sites

British analyst: Israel could deploy F-35s to UAE

Photo: IDF Spokesperson's Unit

There is a possibility that IAF F-35 stealth fighters will be deployed at bases in the Persian Gulf, in the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain or Saudi Arabia, where they could operate more effectively against Iran, British security analyst and expert Tim Martin said in a conversation with Shephard Media. 

If there is such an arrangement, the Israeli fighters will be only a one-hour flight away from Iran's nuclear sites, and that could result in a highly significant change in the operational planning. According to Martin, there has been talk of operational cooperation since the signing of the Abraham Accords, with approval of the sale of 50 F-35s to the UAE, and of the acquisition of a third squadron of such fighters by Israel.

The Israeli "Adir" stealth fighters, which operate from Nevatim Air Base in the Negev, can attack targets in Syria, Iraq, Lebanon, Jordan, and parts of Egypt without aerial refueling. But the most pressing threat to Israel these days is Iran.    

In the future, there could be joint training by operators of the F-35 in Israel and the UAE, and actually a new coalition - a Middle East NATO – could be formed. The British analyst also mentioned other planned acquisitions by Israel, such as KC-46 refueling planes and CH-53K helicopters, and Israel is not hiding its interest in buying F-15EX fighters.  

Regarding the Israeli F-35s, they play a main role in the Israeli campaign to disrupt the Iranian axis, mainly in Syria. Israel is acquiring new refueling planes to improve its operations in the "third circle" including Iran, Libya and North Africa, Tim Martin wrote.