Belgium F-35 Aircraft and F-135 Engine Enhancement Notification
Summary
The Defense Security Cooperation Agency published unclassified text of Transmittal No. 26-0G, notifying Congress of an enhancement to the Government of Belgium's F-35 aircraft purchase. The notification adds 11 F-35 CTOL aircraft and 12 F-135 engines to the original 2018 sale, increasing total case value by $3.3 billion to $9.83 billion.
What changed
The DoD published the unclassified text of a Section 36(b) arms sales notification for Belgium, accounting for additional major defense equipment and non-MDE items not included in the original 2018 notification. The enhancement adds 11 F-35 CTOL aircraft and 12 Pratt & Whitney F-135 engines (11 installed, 1 spare), along with drag chute system integration kits. The estimated total case value increases by $3.3 billion to $9.83 billion, with MDE value rising to $6.23 billion.
Affected parties include the Government of Belgium (prospective purchaser), U.S. defense contractors Lockheed Martin and Pratt & Whitney, and Congress (which receives notifications under the Arms Export Control Act). This notification fulfills statutory requirements under section 155 of Public Law 104-164 and does not itself authorize or approve the sale—further Congressional review may be required depending on transaction thresholds.
What to do next
- Monitor for updates on arms sales notifications
Archived snapshot
Apr 15, 2026GovPing captured this document from the original source. If the source has since changed or been removed, this is the text as it existed at that time.
Notice
Arms Sales Notification
A Notice by the Defense Department on 04/15/2026
PDF
Document Details
Document Dates
- Table of Contents
- Public Comments
- Regulations.gov Data
- Sharing
- Other Formats
- Public Inspection Published Document: 2026-07277 (91 FR 20142) Document Headings ###### Department of Defense
Office of the Secretary
- [Transmittal No. 26-0G]
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, urooj.zahra.civ@mail.mil, or dsca.ncr.rsrcmgmt.list.cns-mbx@mail.mil.
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)(C) 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) Pratt & Whitney F-135 engines (11 installed, 1 spare). The following non-MDE items will also be included: drag chute system integration kits; and other related elements of logistics and program support. The estimated total value of the new items is $3.3 billion. The estimated MDE value will increase by $1.7 billion to a revised $6.23 billion. The estimated non-MDE value will increase by $1.6 billion to a revised $3.6 billion. The estimated total case value will increase by $3.3 billion to a revised $9.83 billion. MDE constitutes $6.23 billion of this total.
(ii) Significance: This notification accounts for requested additional MDE and non-MDE items not included in the original notification. The proposed articles and/or services will provide Belgium with a credible defense capability to deter aggression in the region and ensure interoperability with U.S. forces.
(iii) Justification: This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States by improving the security of a NATO Ally which is an important force for political stability and economic progress in Europe.
(iv) Sensitivity of Technology:
The Sensitivity of Technology Statement contained in the original notification applies to items reported here.
The highest level of classification of defense articles, components, and services included in this potential sale is SECRET.
(v) Date Report Delivered to Congress: February 26, 2026
[FR Doc. 2026-07277 Filed 4-14-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6001-FR-P
Published Document: 2026-07277 (91 FR 20142)
Named provisions
Related changes
Get daily alerts for FR: Defense Department
Daily digest delivered to your inbox.
Free. Unsubscribe anytime.
Source
About this page
Every important government, regulator, and court update from around the world. One place. Real-time. Free. Our mission
Source document text, dates, docket IDs, and authority are extracted directly from Defense Department.
The summary, classification, recommended actions, deadlines, and penalty information are AI-generated from the original text and may contain errors. Always verify against the source document.
Classification
Who this affects
Taxonomy
Browse Categories
Get alerts for this source
We'll email you when FR: Defense Department publishes new changes.
Subscribed!
Optional. Filters your digest to exactly the updates that matter to you.