Arms Sales Notification — Government of Belgium
Key claim: The US notified Congress of an enhancement to Belgium’s F-35 purchase, adding eleven F-35 CTOL aircraft and twelve engines to the previously notified $6.53 billion package of 34 aircraft.
Abstract
(Notice · Defense Department) The DoD is publishing unclassified text of an arms sales notification.
AGENCY: Defense Security Cooperation Agency, Department of Defense (DoD). ACTION: Arms sales notice.
SUMMARY: The DoD is publishing 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 26-0G. Dated: April 10, 2026. Stephanie J. Bost, Alternate OSD Federal Register Liaison Officer, Department of Defense. DEPARTMENT OF STATE TRANSMITTAL NO. RSAT 26-0G REPORT OF ENHANCEMENT OR UPGRADE OF SENSITIVITY OF TECHNOLOGY OR CAPABILITY PURSUANT TO SECTION 36(b)(5)© OF THE ARMS EXPORT CONTROL ACT (i) Prospective Purchaser: Government of Belgium (ii) Sec. 36(b)(1), AECA Transmittal No.: 17-80 Date: January 18, 2018 Implementing Agency: Air Force (i) Description: On January 18, 2018, Congress was notified by congressional certification transmittal number 17-80 of the possible sale under Section 36(b)(1) of the Arms Export Control Act of thirty- four (34) F-35 joint strike fighter conventional takeoff and landing (CTOL) aircraft; and thirty-eight (38) Pratt & Whitney F-135 engines (34 installed, 4 spares). Also included were electronic warfare systems; command, control, communications, computer and intelligence/ communications, navigational, and identification; autonomic logistics global support system; autonomic logistics information system; full mission trainer; weapons employment capability, and other subsystems, features, and capabilities; F-35 unique infrared flares; reprogramming center; F-35 performance based logistics; software development/ integration; aircraft ferry and tanker support; support equipment; tools and test equipment; communications equipment; spares and repair parts; personnel training and training equipment; publications and technical documents; U.S. Government and contractor engineering and logistics personnel services; and other related elements of logistics and program support. The estimated total value was $6.53 billion. Major Defense Equipment (MDE) constituted $4.53 billion of this total. This transmittal notifies the inclusion of the following MDE items: eleven (11) F-35 joint strike fighter conventional takeoff and landing (CTOL) aircraft; and twelve (12) P
Why this matters
The F-35 enhancement expands a NATO ally’s fifth-generation fighter fleet beyond the originally notified 34-aircraft package, deepening US–Belgium defense-industrial ties and interoperability commitments. Tracking these incremental FMS enhancements is essential to understanding the cumulative scale of US arms transfers to European NATO members.