The U.S. Department has revealed a major contract awarded to Boeing, amounting to as much as $49.7 million, aimed at ensuring the continued combat readiness of the Royal Saudi Air Force’s (RSAF) F-15 fighter jet fleet. This new Foreign Military Sales (FMS) sustainment agreement underscores the enduring strategic partnership between the U.S. and Saudi Arabia, particularly amid escalating regional tensions.
Under the terms of the letter contract, Boeing will provide comprehensive logistical and repair services for various F-15 variants operated by the RSAF, including the F-15C, D, S, and the highly advanced F-15SA. The scope of work encompasses the repair and return of unclassified aircraft components, the procurement of essential support equipment, and crucial aircraft integration and training support for RSAF personnel. Additionally, the deal includes the refurbishment and replacement of Saudi-owned aerospace ground equipment, special-purpose vehicles, and fire and safety vehicles, ensuring a holistic sustainment package.
Work for this vital contract will be conducted both at Boeing’s facilities in St. Louis, Missouri, and at RSAF bases within Saudi Arabia, with completion anticipated by June 20, 2026. Importantly, the Pentagon confirmed that the financing for this sustainment effort comes entirely from Saudi Arabia’s FMS funds, with no U.S. taxpayer dollars involved.
This agreement carries substantial strategic weight. The F-15 fleet, particularly the F-15SA, remains a cornerstone of Saudi Arabia’s airpower capabilities. These heavily upgraded variants, featuring fly-by-wire controls, Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar, and advanced digital electronic warfare systems, are indispensable assets for Riyadh’s defense posture in a volatile region. Amid multiplying threats, including Iranian drone and missile activity and broader instability across the Gulf, maintaining high readiness levels for these combat-proven aircraft is a geopolitical imperative.
The contract reflects the U.S.’s continued commitment to supporting allied readiness through robust logistics and sustainment agreements. For Saudi Arabia, it signals a strategic choice to invest in the long-term viability and effectiveness of a trusted and flexible airpower asset, rather than pursuing costly platform replacements. By ensuring optimal availability rates and enhanced domestic sustainment capabilities, this deal is poised to keep the RSAF’s F-15 fleet at the forefront of regional air defense and projection.