The U.S. Department of State approved a new Foreign Military Sale (FMS) to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), further cementing the longstanding defense relationship between the two countries. Valued at up to $130 million, this transaction, as formally notified to Congress by the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA), includes a broad range of logistical support and technical sustainment components for the UAE’s F-16E/F Block 60 fighter aircraft fleet—dubbed the “Desert Falcon.”
The new package is part of a strategic continuity plan designed to maintain the operational availability and combat readiness of the UAE’s Desert Falcon fleet, a uniquely advanced version of the F-16 developed specifically for the Emirates. The support request encompasses spare parts, critical components, maintenance accessories, and additional logistical support services. These will supplement a previous $40.9 million contract which did not cross the congressional notification threshold and excluded Major Defense Equipment (MDE).
That earlier deal, although smaller in monetary scope, delivered critical munitions reprogramming hardware (specifically Common Munitions Bit/Reprogramming Equipment or CMBRE), night vision support systems, and a comprehensive package of logistical and technical services. This included equipment repair, transport logistics, technical documentation—both classified and unclassified—and contractor-based support operations. These services were critical to ensuring the effective integration and sustainment of UAE’s advanced airborne strike capabilities.
The F-16E/F Block 60, widely known as the “Desert Falcon,” is an exclusive variant of the F-16 fighter jet developed by Lockheed Martin in the early 2000s. It represents the pinnacle of fourth-generation fighter technology and, for years, was considered a bridge toward fifth-generation capabilities. The aircraft boasts advanced features such as the Northrop Grumman AN/APG-80 Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar system, allowing for simultaneous air-to-air and air-to-ground targeting with reduced probability of detection.
Complementing the radar is the Falcon Edge electronic warfare suite, capable of automatic threat detection, jamming, and countermeasure deployment. The aircraft’s integrated AN/ASQ-32 internal targeting system frees up a wing station for additional ordnance, while the Joint Helmet Mounted Cueing System (JHMCS) enhances situational awareness by projecting tactical data directly into the pilot’s line of sight.
Powered by the F110-GE-132 turbofan engine generating up to 32,500 pounds of thrust, the Desert Falcon overcomes the additional weight burden from its conformal fuel tanks (CFTs), sensors, and electronic gear. The result is an extended combat radius of approximately 1,600 kilometers—enabling deep-strike missions across the region without requiring aerial refueling.
In terms of armament, the Desert Falcon can deploy a broad and modern range of munitions, including the AIM-9X Block II air-to-air missile, GBU-39 Small Diameter Bombs (SDB), AGM-154 Joint Standoff Weapons (JSOW), and AGM-84H SLAM-ER cruise missiles. These weapons allow for precision strikes against land and maritime targets at distances exceeding 250 kilometers.
However, Washington has blocked the integration of the Franco-British Storm Shadow missile into the F-16E/F platform due to restrictive technology transfer policies. As a result, the long-range Storm Shadow remains confined to the UAE’s older Mirage 2000-9 fighters. This underscores the complex geopolitics of arms transfers and the strategic balancing act in safeguarding U.S. proprietary defense technologies.
According to the DSCA, the transaction aligns with U.S. foreign policy and national security interests by reinforcing the military capabilities of a trusted regional partner. The UAE has consistently been regarded as a stabilizing force in the Gulf, playing a central role in regional coalitions and counterterrorism operations. Ensuring that its air force remains combat-ready and self-sufficient directly contributes to collective security in the region, particularly amid persistent instability in Yemen, Syria, and the broader Red Sea corridor.
The DSCA further assessed that the UAE possesses the technical sophistication and logistical infrastructure required to integrate the newly provided systems without difficulty. No new American personnel—government or contractor—will be required to deploy to Emirati territory to implement the contract, and no adverse impact on U.S. operational readiness is anticipated.
This $130 million support package reaffirms the UAE’s commitment to long-term fleet sustainability. While not introducing new capabilities or altering the regional military balance, it represents a planned and critical step in lifecycle sustainment for a cornerstone of Emirati airpower. The package includes an expansive range of items: spare engines, avionics modules, ground support tools, consumables, and extensive technical documentation. These assets ensure the Desert Falcon fleet can continue operating at high readiness levels over the coming decade.
The UAE currently operates 78 Desert Falcons: 54 single-seat F-16Es and 24 two-seat F-16Fs, grouped across three combat squadrons. Initial deliveries began in 2004 under a $6.4 billion contract signed in 2000, marking one of the largest and most sophisticated U.S. defense export programs in the Middle East at the time. This program included not just aircraft, but also extensive training, maintenance, and system integration services.
Today, this fleet serves as the backbone of the Emirati Air Force, conducting missions ranging from air superiority and close air support to interdiction and reconnaissance. The uniquely configured Desert Falcon reflects the UAE’s strategic doctrine: technological self-reliance paired with close interoperability with Western defense partners.
While the current agreement does not specify an offset arrangement—contracts wherein the supplier agrees to invest in the purchaser’s economy—such provisions could still be negotiated. Offset deals are common in UAE arms procurement and have historically included investments in local defense manufacturing, joint ventures, and skills transfer initiatives. Any future offset agreement would likely be handled through direct negotiations between Abu Dhabi and relevant U.S. defense firms, particularly Lockheed Martin and its supply chain.
Although no prime contractor has been officially designated, Lockheed Martin remains the most probable lead, given its foundational role in the development and sustainment of the F-16 platform. Additional support is expected from a range of certified U.S. subcontractors and service providers.
The approval of this sale comes amid heightened regional uncertainty. Tensions in the Red Sea, maritime insecurity near the Strait of Hormuz, and Iran’s ongoing drone and missile proliferation remain high on the strategic radar. In this context, a well-maintained and combat-ready UAE air fleet serves not just national defense objectives but also broader regional deterrence and power projection roles.
From Washington’s perspective, bolstering the UAE’s defense posture helps reduce the burden on U.S. forces in the region and encourages greater burden-sharing among allies. It also signals continued political alignment and defense synchronization despite a shifting global security landscape where Washington’s attention is increasingly focused on the Indo-Pacific and Europe.
While this sale may not carry the political visibility of a new fighter purchase or missile deal, its significance lies in what it reveals about the continuity and depth of U.S.-UAE defense relations. It affirms that operational sustainment—often overshadowed by more headline-grabbing arms deals—is essential to long-term strategic capability.
The UAE’s investment in the Desert Falcon’s maintenance and resilience underscores a broader defense philosophy: buying advanced platforms is only the beginning; keeping them combat-ready over decades requires persistent investment, meticulous planning, and international cooperation.
As the Pentagon continues to recalibrate its global force posture and resource commitments, defense partners like the UAE will increasingly rely on robust sustainment strategies to ensure national and regional security. This $130 million package reflects precisely that: not a leap in firepower, but a step toward strategic permanence.
