On Tuesday, February 3, 2026, the U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) announced the approval by the United States Department of State of a potential sale to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia of an in-service support package for F-15 multirole fighter aircraft, with a maximum estimated value of 3 billion USD.
Photo: Sgt. Erica Knight, USAF
According to the published notification, the government in Riyadh requested authorization to acquire the following items classified as non-MDE (non-major defense equipment): spare and repair parts, consumables and accessories, repair and return support, ground support and personnel equipment, classified and unclassified software and software support, classified and unclassified publications and technical documentation, personnel training and training equipment, engineering, technical, and logistics support services provided by the U.S. government and contract vendors (yet to be designated), as well as other related logistics and program support elements.
Aircraft from the F-15 Eagle family entered service with the Royal Saudi Air Force (Al-Quwwat Al-Jawiyah Al-Malakiyah as-Su’udiyah, RSAF) as early as 1981, when deliveries of 120 air-superiority F-15C/D aircraft began. In the mid-1990s, 72 multirole F-15S (Saudi) aircraft, based on the F-15E Strike Eagle, were delivered. Of the original F-15C/Ds, 62 aircraft reportedly remain in service. On December 30, 2011, a contract was announced for the purchase of 84 upgraded F-15SA (Saudi Advanced) fighters and the modernization of 70 F-15S aircraft to the F-15SR standard, with a total value of 29.4 billion USD (approval had been granted on October 20, 2010).
It is also worth noting that in recent months the United States has approved several arms sales related to weapons used by, among others, F-15 aircraft:
- On May 2, 2025, approval was granted for the sale of 1,000 AIM-120C-8 AMRAAM (Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile) rounds, with a maximum estimated value of 3.5 billion USD.
- On October 11, 2024, approval was issued for the sale of 220 AIM-9X Sidewinder missiles, with a maximum estimated value of USD 251.8 million USD.
Earlier, on December 22, 2023, authorization was granted to launch a training program for RSAF pilots and other personnel from the Saudi armed forces, with a maximum estimated value of 1 billion USD.
Currently, authorities in Riyadh are interested in retiring the oldest F-15C/D aircraft and undertaking a broader modernization of the combat aircraft fleet; the withdrawal of Panavia Tornado IDS aircraft (81 units) is also planned. As a result, various options are being considered. The most recent includes the potential acquisition of Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II multirole fighters (unofficially 48 aircraft), while Boeing is reportedly offering the latest F-15EX Eagle II.
In 2023, Saudi Arabia was also reported to have discussed the French Dassault Rafale, while in early 2024 reports emerged about Germany lifting restrictions on the sale of an additional 40 Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft (to add to the 71 already in service). In parallel, South Korea proposed joint development of a fifth- or sixth-generation multirole fighter based on the KAI KF-21 Boramae program. Meanwhile, in November and December 2024, reports surfaced about talks on potential participation in the British-Italian-Japanese sixth-generation fighter program GCAP, as well as Turkey’s fifth-generation TF Kaan project. According to reports, binding decisions are expected to be made this year.
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