The Trump administration is reassessing Israel’s Qualitative Military Edge (QME) as it weighs potential high-value arms sales to Saudi Arabia and Qatar, a move that has raised concern in Israel over a possible shift in the Middle East’s military balance.
According to US and regional officials, discussions on QME in the context of defence deals with Gulf states have taken place over recent weeks. Senior US military officials have held a series of closed-door briefings on Capitol Hill with members of Congress, while a senior official from the State Department visited Israel last week in part to address Israeli concerns.
A US official familiar with the talks said the administration is likely preparing formal positions ahead of an expected meeting between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Donald Trump, anticipated before the end of the year. Media reports say Netanyahu is expected to arrive in Florida on December 29.
Congress Briefed as Arms Talks Advance
An Arab official confirmed that QME is under review as part of broader arms sales discussions with Riyadh and Doha, though he expressed doubt that a new understanding would be reached imminently. Lawmakers from the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and the House Armed Services Committee have been involved in the Capitol Hill consultations.
Meanwhile, a senior official from the State Department’s Bureau of Political-Military Affairs, which oversees US arms transfers, travelled to Israel last week for talks that included Israel’s qualitative military advantage.
US Senator Lindsey Graham also met Netanyahu on Sunday. While Graham did not publicly address arms sales, he said discussions covered Hamas and Hezbollah’s rearmament and Iran’s ballistic missile programme.
F-35 Sales at the Center of the Debate
The administration is considering two major arms packages for Saudi Arabia and Qatar. Trump confirmed during a November meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman that Washington plans to sell F-35 fighter jets to the kingdom, acknowledging that Israel has pressed for Riyadh to receive a less advanced configuration than Israel’s own fleet.
“I know they [Israel] would like you to get planes of reduced calibre,” Trump said at the time. “I think they are both at a level where they should get top of the line.”
Israeli media have also reported US-Qatar talks on a possible F-35 sale, prompting concerns in Jerusalem that a surge in advanced arms transfers to Arab states could erode Israel’s long-standing military superiority.
Balancing Trump’s Style With Congressional Power
The Trump administration is also finalising a broader US-Saudi defence agreement that officials say could accelerate transfers of more sophisticated weapons. The deal has yet to be signed by US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth and has been kept largely out of public view as the White House works to line up congressional support.
Although Trump has often sidelined Congress on military matters, any major arms sale ultimately requires navigating Capitol Hill. Under long-standing convention, senior lawmakers on foreign relations committees can place informal holds on weapons transfers — a power that has previously delayed even sales to Israel itself.
Why QME Matters
Israel’s Qualitative Military Edge — the principle that it must maintain superior military capabilities over regional adversaries — dates back to the Cold War. It was formally codified into US law in 2008, requiring periodic reviews of arms sales to Arab states.
Israel receives uniquely customised versions of US weapons systems, including the F-35I Adir, which it has modified to extend range and maintain stealth. These adaptations, Israeli officials argue, are critical to preserving deterrence, particularly against Iran.
As Washington explores reshaping defence ties with Gulf partners, the renewed scrutiny of QME highlights the delicate balancing act facing the Trump administration: expanding strategic partnerships in the Middle East without undermining Israel’s long-standing military advantage.
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