Arms Sales Notification — Government of Australia ($250 million): None
Key claim: The US notified Congress of a proposed $250 million Foreign Military Sale to Australia for F/A-18F Super Hornet and EA-18G Growler aircrew and maintenance training plus related logistics support.
Abstract
(Notice · Defense Department) The DoD (referred to herein as “the Department,” “Department of War” or “DoW”) is publishing the unclassified text of an arms sales notification.
AGENCY: Defense Security Cooperation Agency, Department of Defense (DoD). ACTION: Arms sales notice.
SUMMARY: The DoD (referred to herein as the Department,'' Department of War’’ or ``DoW’') is publishing the unclassified text
of an arms sales notification.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Urooj Zahra at (703) 695-6233,
[email protected] , or [email protected] .
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This 36(b) arms sales notification is
published to fulfill the requirements of section 155 of Public Law 104-
164 dated July 21, 1996. The following is a copy of the attached
Transmittal 26-57, Policy Justification, and Sensitivity of Technology.
Dated: July 16, 2026.
Stephanie J. Bost,
Alternate OSD Federal Register Liaison Officer, Department of Defense.
Transmittal No. 26-57
Notice of Proposed Issuance of Letter of Offer Pursuant to Section
36(b)(1) of the Arms Export Control Act, as Amended
(i) Prospective Purchaser: Government of Australia
(ii) Total Estimated Value:
Major Defense Equipment *… $ 0
Other… $250 million
TOTAL… $250 million (iii) Description and Quantity or Quantities of Articles or Services under Consideration for Purchase: Foreign Military Sales case AT-P-GTM was below congressional notification threshold at $18 million ($0 in major defense equipment (MDE)) and included F/A-18F Super Hornet and EA-18G Growler aircraft aircrew and maintenance training; protective personnel equipment; U.S. Government and contractor technical and logistics support services; and other related elements of logistics and program support. In 2015, the case was amended and added $49 million for a total of $67 million ($0 in MDE) and included F/A-18F Super Hornet and EA-18G Growler aircraft aircrew and maintenance training; protective personnel equipment; U.S. Government and contractor technical and logistics support services; and other related elements of logistics and program support. This amendment caused the case to exceed the congressional notification threshold, and it should have been notified to Congress at that time, but the technical error was not discovered until the partner requested an amendment in 2026. In 2018, the case was amended and added $75 million for a total of $142 million ($0 in MDE) and included F/A-18F Super Hornet and EA-18G Growler aircraft classified and unclassified
Why this matters
Sustainment-and-training FMS cases keep allied tactical airpower interoperable with US forces, and Australia’s Super Hornet/Growler fleet is a core Indo-Pacific electronic-attack and strike capability alongside US Navy squadrons. A mid-sized $250M training package signals continued US commitment to RAAF readiness even as the AUKUS submarine track dominates the bilateral defense agenda.