The Defense Department notified Congress of possible foreign military sales of precision-guided munitions to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates valued at up to $6.8 billion and $4 billion, respectively. Both notifications went to Congress on Oct. 11, announced the Defense Security Cooperation Agency on Oct. 15. The proposed Saudi sale would support the nation’s F-15SA fleet. It would include 400 AGM-84L Harpoon Block II missiles, 650 AGM-84H Standoff Land Attack Missiles-Expanded Response, 973 AGM-154C Joint Stand Off Weapons, 1000 GBU-39/B Small Diameter Bombs, and associated equipment, parts, training, and logistical support. The UAE deal, intended to support the country’s F-16s, involves 300 AGM-84H SLAM-ERs, 1200 AGM-154C JSOWs, 5000 GBU-39/B SDBs with BRU-61 carriage systems, and associated equipment, parts, training, and logistical support.
The Air Force is spending heavily on F-22 improvements through the end of the decade, suggesting it may not retire the jet in 2030 as it previously planned. New sensors, fuel tanks, communications, and electronic warfare systems are among the upgrades that comprise the package.