United Arab Emirates Invests in Long-Term Sustainment of F-16 Fighters with Strategic US Support
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On May 12, 2025, the U.S. Department of State approved a new Foreign Military Sale (FMS) to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), involving enhanced logistical support and maintenance for its fleet of F-16 fighter aircraft. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) officially notified Congress of this transaction, which is estimated at $130 million. This new agreement falls within the scope of a long-standing strategic partnership between Washington and Abu Dhabi, reflecting a shared objective to maintain the UAE’s air force fleet at a high operational readiness level amid ongoing regional volatility.
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The UAE operates a fleet of 78 aircraft, 54 F-16Es (single-seat) and 24 F-16Fs (two-seat), organized into three squadrons (Picture source: US DoD)
The Emirati request covers the acquisition of additional components, spare parts, specialized accessories, and logistical support items. These will complement a previous $40.9 million contract, which remained below the congressional notification threshold. That earlier agreement did not involve any Major Defense Equipment (MDE) but included munitions reprogramming equipment (CMBRE), support systems for munitions and night vision devices, and a wide range of technical and logistical services. These services covered maintenance, repair, and return, classified and unclassified documentation, technical studies, transportation, and support provided by both U.S. government personnel and contractors. The current contract reinforces a broader strategy focused on ensuring the long-term reliability and performance of the fleet.
The aircraft concerned are the F-16E/F Block 60, designated “Desert Falcon,” developed specifically for the UAE by Lockheed Martin in the early 2000s. This variant remains the most advanced F-16 configuration ever built, designed as an alternative to fifth-generation fighters. Equipped with the AN/APG-80 AESA radar, the Desert Falcons feature simultaneous air-to-air and air-to-ground targeting capabilities, with reduced probability of detection thanks to agile beam scanning technology. The integrated Falcon Edge electronic warfare suite provides threat detection, jamming, and automatic countermeasures, while the internally mounted AN/ASQ-32 targeting system allows for passive designation and frees up a hardpoint. The JHMCS helmet-mounted display enhances pilot situational awareness by projecting tactical data directly within the field of view.
Powered by the F110-GE-132 engine delivering up to 32,500 pounds of thrust, the Desert Falcon offsets the additional weight from sensors, electronics, and conformal fuel tanks (CFTs), extending its combat radius to approximately 1,600 kilometers. This configuration grants the platform operational endurance suitable for regional strike missions. In terms of armament, the UAE’s F-16s can deploy a comprehensive range of modern munitions, including AIM-9X Block II air-to-air missiles, GBU-39 SDB precision bombs, AGM-154 JSOW glide bombs, and AGM-84H SLAM-ER cruise missiles. These weapons enable precision strikes on land and maritime targets at distances exceeding 250 kilometers. However, integration of the Franco-British Storm Shadow missile was blocked by the U.S. due to technology control restrictions, limiting its deployment to the UAE’s Mirage 2000-9 fleet.
According to the DSCA, this sale supports U.S. foreign policy and national security objectives by enhancing the capabilities of a key defense partner in a sensitive region. The UAE is regularly identified by Washington as a regional stabilizing actor, and its defense cooperation with the United States contributes to collective security efforts in the Gulf. Maintaining the operational readiness of its F-16 fleet is, therefore a central priority for ensuring autonomous national defense capabilities. U.S. authorities also assess that the Emirati armed forces possess the technical and logistical capacity to absorb these new systems without difficulty.
No prime contractor has been designated at this stage, and no offset arrangement is currently proposed, though such agreements could be negotiated directly between the UAE and relevant industry partners. The implementation of this support program will not require additional deployment of U.S. personnel, whether government or contractors, to UAE territory. Likewise, the U.S. Department of Defense does not anticipate any impact on American operational readiness. The $130 million figure represents a high-end estimate based on initial requirements, budgetary authorizations, and requested quantities; the final amount may be revised downward depending on the scope of the concluded contract.
The F-16E/F Block 60 currently forms the backbone of the Emirati Air Force. According to The Military Balance 2025, the UAE operates a fleet of 78 aircraft, 54 F-16Es (single-seat) and 24 F-16Fs (two-seat), organized into three squadrons. Deliveries began in 2004, following a landmark agreement signed in 2000 valued at approximately $6.4 billion, one of the largest U.S. defense export contracts in the region at the time. This program marked a significant leap in the UAE’s aerial strike capabilities, combining technological sophistication with sustained bilateral cooperation in training, maintenance, and system integration.
The contract approved in May 2025 fits into this broader strategic context. In complement to the previous $40.9 million agreement, it confirms the UAE’s intention to preserve its aerial capability through continued investment in technical resilience. It covers the full range of elements required to maintain the operational availability of the fleet: spare parts, support equipment, critical components, and various technical, logistical, and documentation services. This upkeep is particularly crucial since the Desert Falcon variant remains exclusive to the UAE, making its sustainment heavily reliant on cooperation with Lockheed Martin and certified U.S. suppliers.
The new U.S. notification reflects the continuity of defense ties between Washington and Abu Dhabi, centered around a platform that remains a core component of the UAE’s deterrence posture. Amid ongoing regional tensions, this sale does not constitute a shift in military balance or a significant increase in capabilities but rather a planned milestone in the lifecycle management of a key operational system. It also highlights the maturity of the bilateral defense partnership, grounded in long-term stability, regional engagement, and interoperable support frameworks.
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On May 12, 2025, the U.S. Department of State approved a new Foreign Military Sale (FMS) to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), involving enhanced logistical support and maintenance for its fleet of F-16 fighter aircraft. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) officially notified Congress of this transaction, which is estimated at $130 million. This new agreement falls within the scope of a long-standing strategic partnership between Washington and Abu Dhabi, reflecting a shared objective to maintain the UAE’s air force fleet at a high operational readiness level amid ongoing regional volatility.
The UAE operates a fleet of 78 aircraft, 54 F-16Es (single-seat) and 24 F-16Fs (two-seat), organized into three squadrons (Picture source: US DoD)
The Emirati request covers the acquisition of additional components, spare parts, specialized accessories, and logistical support items. These will complement a previous $40.9 million contract, which remained below the congressional notification threshold. That earlier agreement did not involve any Major Defense Equipment (MDE) but included munitions reprogramming equipment (CMBRE), support systems for munitions and night vision devices, and a wide range of technical and logistical services. These services covered maintenance, repair, and return, classified and unclassified documentation, technical studies, transportation, and support provided by both U.S. government personnel and contractors. The current contract reinforces a broader strategy focused on ensuring the long-term reliability and performance of the fleet.
The aircraft concerned are the F-16E/F Block 60, designated “Desert Falcon,” developed specifically for the UAE by Lockheed Martin in the early 2000s. This variant remains the most advanced F-16 configuration ever built, designed as an alternative to fifth-generation fighters. Equipped with the AN/APG-80 AESA radar, the Desert Falcons feature simultaneous air-to-air and air-to-ground targeting capabilities, with reduced probability of detection thanks to agile beam scanning technology. The integrated Falcon Edge electronic warfare suite provides threat detection, jamming, and automatic countermeasures, while the internally mounted AN/ASQ-32 targeting system allows for passive designation and frees up a hardpoint. The JHMCS helmet-mounted display enhances pilot situational awareness by projecting tactical data directly within the field of view.
Powered by the F110-GE-132 engine delivering up to 32,500 pounds of thrust, the Desert Falcon offsets the additional weight from sensors, electronics, and conformal fuel tanks (CFTs), extending its combat radius to approximately 1,600 kilometers. This configuration grants the platform operational endurance suitable for regional strike missions. In terms of armament, the UAE’s F-16s can deploy a comprehensive range of modern munitions, including AIM-9X Block II air-to-air missiles, GBU-39 SDB precision bombs, AGM-154 JSOW glide bombs, and AGM-84H SLAM-ER cruise missiles. These weapons enable precision strikes on land and maritime targets at distances exceeding 250 kilometers. However, integration of the Franco-British Storm Shadow missile was blocked by the U.S. due to technology control restrictions, limiting its deployment to the UAE’s Mirage 2000–9 fleet.
According to the DSCA, this sale supports U.S. foreign policy and national security objectives by enhancing the capabilities of a key defense partner in a sensitive region. The UAE is regularly identified by Washington as a regional stabilizing actor, and its defense cooperation with the United States contributes to collective security efforts in the Gulf. Maintaining the operational readiness of its F-16 fleet is, therefore a central priority for ensuring autonomous national defense capabilities. U.S. authorities also assess that the Emirati armed forces possess the technical and logistical capacity to absorb these new systems without difficulty.
No prime contractor has been designated at this stage, and no offset arrangement is currently proposed, though such agreements could be negotiated directly between the UAE and relevant industry partners. The implementation of this support program will not require additional deployment of U.S. personnel, whether government or contractors, to UAE territory. Likewise, the U.S. Department of Defense does not anticipate any impact on American operational readiness. The $130 million figure represents a high-end estimate based on initial requirements, budgetary authorizations, and requested quantities; the final amount may be revised downward depending on the scope of the concluded contract.
The F-16E/F Block 60 currently forms the backbone of the Emirati Air Force. According to The Military Balance 2025, the UAE operates a fleet of 78 aircraft, 54 F-16Es (single-seat) and 24 F-16Fs (two-seat), organized into three squadrons. Deliveries began in 2004, following a landmark agreement signed in 2000 valued at approximately $6.4 billion, one of the largest U.S. defense export contracts in the region at the time. This program marked a significant leap in the UAE’s aerial strike capabilities, combining technological sophistication with sustained bilateral cooperation in training, maintenance, and system integration.
The contract approved in May 2025 fits into this broader strategic context. In complement to the previous $40.9 million agreement, it confirms the UAE’s intention to preserve its aerial capability through continued investment in technical resilience. It covers the full range of elements required to maintain the operational availability of the fleet: spare parts, support equipment, critical components, and various technical, logistical, and documentation services. This upkeep is particularly crucial since the Desert Falcon variant remains exclusive to the UAE, making its sustainment heavily reliant on cooperation with Lockheed Martin and certified U.S. suppliers.
The new U.S. notification reflects the continuity of defense ties between Washington and Abu Dhabi, centered around a platform that remains a core component of the UAE’s deterrence posture. Amid ongoing regional tensions, this sale does not constitute a shift in military balance or a significant increase in capabilities but rather a planned milestone in the lifecycle management of a key operational system. It also highlights the maturity of the bilateral defense partnership, grounded in long-term stability, regional engagement, and interoperable support frameworks.
