Should Jews Worry? The Risk of F-35s in Riyadh

 

“You are right to worry about any U.S. military tech going offshore ("The Art of a Deal With Saudi Arabia," Review & Outlook, Nov. 19). But aircraft platforms are often bespoke, custom built to suit foreign clients, meaning there are many potential F-35 variants that Washington could give to Riyadh. Saudi jets could be equipped with downgraded avionics, reduced flight performance or range, limited weapons packages, hidden IFF transmitters [1] and so forth. The Israeli F-35s no doubt have more-advanced offensive capabilities that the Saudis' shouldn't possess. It's also a reasonable assumption -- and a reassurance -- that uniformed U.S. military personnel would be maintaining those jets on Saudi soil.

 

Don Conway

 

Anderson, S.C.” [2]

 

1. IFF (Identification Friend or Foe) transmitters are the part of an IFF system that responds to a specific radar interrogation signal by sending back a coded reply to confirm friendly identification. They receive interrogation pulses on one frequency (1030 MHz) and transmit a reply on a different frequency (1090 MHz). These transmitters, called transponders, are mounted on military and civilian aircraft, ships, and ground vehicles, and are crucial for military command and control to prevent friendly fire incidents. 

 

How IFF transmitters work 

• Interrogation: An IFF interrogator sends a coded radio signal to an unknown target.
• Response: A friendly aircraft with an IFF transponder receives the interrogation signal.
• Transmission: The transponder immediately transmits a coded reply signal back to the interrogator.
• Identification: The interrogator receives the reply and confirms the target is friendly, often displaying additional information like altitude on a radar scope. 

Key components and functions 

• Transmitter/Transponder: The device that receives an interrogation and sends a coded reply.
• Interrogator: The device that sends the initial interrogation signal.
• Combined Interrogator Transponder (CIT): A single unit that performs both functions, used in modern mobile platforms.
• Encryption: Modern systems use cryptographic computers to encrypt the interrogation and reply signals, preventing adversaries from spoofing a friendly identity.
• Modes: IFF systems operate on different "modes" to provide various levels of identification. For example, Mode 5 is the current standard for encrypted military IFF, while civilian aircraft use modes for air traffic control. 

Importance 

• IFF transmitters are a vital part of modern military operations, helping to distinguish friendly forces from hostile ones and preventing friendly fire incidents.
• Civilian aircraft also use similar transponders to aid air traffic controllers in identifying them, especially near military zones. 

 

 

2. The Risk of F-35s in Riyadh. Wall Street Journal, Eastern edition; New York, N.Y.. 29 Nov 2025: A12.