rest_client_patch.diff

diff --git a/kubernetes/client/rest.py b/kubernetes/client/rest.py
--- a/kubernetes/client/rest.py
+++ b/kubernetes/client/rest.py
@@ -239,6 +239,15 @@
             if method in ['POST', 'PUT', 'PATCH', 'OPTIONS', 'DELETE']:
 
                 content_type = headers.get('Content-Type')
+                # JSON Patch is a list of operations; object patches for built-in
+                # APIs use strategic merge:
+                # https://kubernetes.io/docs/reference/using-api/api-concepts/#updates-to-existing-resources
+                if (
+                    content_type == 'application/json-patch+json'
+                    and not isinstance(body, list)
+                ):
+                    headers['Content-Type'] = content_type = \
+                        'application/strategic-merge-patch+json'
                 is_json = (
                     not content_type
                     or contenttype_matches(content_type, 'application', 'json')