US (Washington Insider Magazine) —The U.S. Air Force is projecting a significant increase in foreign military sales, expecting a 60% jump this fiscal year due to rising demand for F-35 and F-16 fighter jets. During the Life Cycle Industry Days conference in Dayton, Ohio, Air Force officials announced anticipated sales of over $46 billion for fiscal 2024, a substantial rise from $28.7 billion in 2023.
Brig. Gen. Jeffrey Geraghty, who leads the Air Force Security Assistance and Cooperation Directorate (AFSAC), attributed this surge to global instability, which is prompting U.S. allies to strengthen their defense capabilities. “Business is booming,” Geraghty said, noting that nations are increasingly aware of the growing threats around the world.
Key deals include a $23 billion agreement with Turkey for up to 40 new F-16s, along with modernization packages for an additional 79 fighters. This sale, approved earlier this year, faced opposition from lawmakers over concerns about Turkey’s human rights record and strategic issues but ultimately passed the Senate. Greece has also been approved to purchase up to 40 F-35s, with the first batch of 20 aircraft costing $3.8 billion as part of a larger $8.6 billion package.
Despite the influx of new deals, Geraghty noted that AFSAC hasn’t received additional manpower to meet the rising demand. However, reforms within the Defense Department and the Pentagon’s Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) have helped streamline the sales process. The DSCA’s recent recommendations include faster technology approvals for international partners and enhanced coordination between U.S. agencies, which have allowed AFSAC to improve processing times.
Deputy Director Shawn Lyman confirmed that while demand has surged, efforts to speed up internal processes have allowed AFSAC to manage the increased workload efficiently.
Meta Description: The U.S. Air Force projects over $46 billion in foreign military sales for 2024, driven by rising demand for F-35s and F-16s as global instability increases.
