---
title: "Israel prepares response to US uncertainty: stealth drone project as F-35 replacement"
description: "Israel plans to create an unmanned combat aircraft at the F-35 level to reduce dependence on US military aid. Against the backdrop of uncertainty in Washington, Tel Aviv is preparing a strategy for a complete transition to its own arms production. 🇮🇱✈️🤖"
date: 2026-08-02T03:24:20.000Z
lang: en
url: https://xab.info/en/posts/israel-prepares-response-to-us-uncertainty-stealth-drone-project-as-f-35-replacement
tags: [israel, f-35, pentagon, drone, usa]
publisher: "XAB.info"
---

# Israel prepares response to US uncertainty: stealth drone project as F-35 replacement

![Israeli F-35I Adir fighter jet in flight: symbol of current IAF capabilities amid development of a new stealth drone](https://xab.info/media/2026/08/02/izrail-razrabatyvaet-bespilotnyy-bort-urovnya-f-35/izrail-razrabatyvaet-bespilotnyy-bort-urovnya-f-35-1.webp)

The Israeli military-industrial complex is on the verge of creating fundamentally new weaponry. Tel Aviv is considering the development of an unmanned combat aircraft whose characteristics could approach the level of the American F-35 stealth fighter. This step is becoming part of a grand strategy to achieve greater independence in the sphere of arms production.

### Independence strategy against the backdrop of political risks

Plans for the creation of a new aircraft were reported to journalists by a senior Israeli official on condition of anonymity. According to him, the new drone is intended to acquire capabilities similar to those of the F-35, which today is one of the most modern combat aircraft in the country's arsenal.

Other states may also join the implementation of the ambitious project, although details of potential international cooperation are not yet disclosed. Nevertheless, Israeli authorities are already working out a long-term plan for gradually reducing dependence on American military aid.

It is assumed that over the next decade, the focus may shift from direct US financial support to joint programs for the development and production of weapons. The impetus for such decisions was the change in the political situation in Washington. Israel's war with Iran and the military campaign in the Gaza sector have intensified discussions in the US regarding further supplies of American weapons.

### Historical precedents and lessons from the past

Israel is not facing the need to develop its own aircraft industry due to restrictions on arms supplies for the first time. As Bloomberg recalls, after the French embargo in the late 1960s, the country established the production of combat aircraft Nesher and Kfir.

Later, Tel Aviv also worked on the Lavi fighter-bomber, however, the program was cancelled under pressure from the US. At that time, Washington sought to prevent the emergence of a competitor to American aviation equipment in the international market. Today the situation is changing: Israeli authorities are striving to expand their own capabilities for producing modern military equipment so as not to depend on the will of allies.

### The problem of military support for allies

The US is indeed experiencing serious difficulties with military support for its main ally in the Middle East. For example, the main US general in Europe privately warned the Pentagon that he lacks naval forces to continue protecting Israel from ballistic missiles.

A similar problem with support is observed in relations with Ukraine. Donald Trump stated that Washington has not yet decided to grant Ukraine a license to produce Patriot interceptor missiles. Against this backdrop, Israel's plans to create its own drone fleet look not just as a technological challenge, but as a matter of national security.