The Stinging Death of an American AWACS Aircraft in Saudi Arabia
Do the Saudis put their high-end U.S.-provided equipment in harm's way?
Seeing the wreckage of a US Air Force AWACS—a large, gutted aircraft sitting on a tarmac—evokes a stark image, reminiscent of a rotting whale carcass on a beach. This scene also evokes a historical context: a heated legislative debate in Washington 45 years ago over the sale of Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) planes and F-15 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia. During that period, I was part of the AIPAC team opposing the sale, arguing that Saudi Arabia was neither a worthy nor capable partner for operating such sophisticated aircraft, and that the sale posed a threat to Israel. The House of Representatives rejected the sale by a vote of 301-111, while the Senate narrowly approved it (technically opposing the resolution) by a vote of 52-48.
Looking back, the motives behind the sale appear ironic. The aircraft were initially intended for Iran—the Shah’s Iran. After the 1979 Islamic Revolution, the U.S. froze arms transfers to the new regime, forcing it to absorb the costs of its own AWACS fleet. Saudi Arabia would amortize that cost. In truth, the AWACS themselves were not the target in the 1981 Capitol Hill dogfight; they were a high-profile bull’s-eye on a package of less dramatic, but very lethal F-15 fighter jets and armament.
The AWACS also symbolized a sea change in U.S. policy, establishing Saudi Arabia as a “pillar” of American policy in the Middle East.
Today, the Royal Saudi Air Force (RSAF) operates more than 200 F-15s, making it the second-largest F-15 fleet in the world, behind only the U.S. Air Force. The Kingdom has announced plans to acquire an additional 60 aircraft. The RSAF continues to operate five modernized AWACS, which, for years, were believed to have been maintained and flown by American contractors.
Saudi Arabia has publicly stated it will not undertake offensive operations against Iran. This stance persists despite hundreds of Iranian drone, ballistic, and cruise missile attacks targeting Saudi bases (some housing American troops) and energy infrastructure. The Saudis claim their F-15s conduct exclusively defensive missions—intercepting drones and missiles from within Saudi borders—while AWACS serve as a flying command center, guiding fighters toward incoming threats. According to the Saudi think tank, House of Saud, the country’s air defense shield— “protecting approximately 35 million people from Iranian ballistic missiles—relies heavily on American-made Patriot PAC-3 batteries and THAAD systems.”
In their purely “defensive role,” Saudi Arabia’s air defense systems have successfully intercepted Iranian and Houthi missiles over Saudi territory, some potentially aimed at Israel.
In conclusion, while Saudi Arabia’s air defense systems have demonstrated their effectiveness, the recent loss of the US Air Force AWACS aircraft begs the question: Do the Saudis put their own high-end U.S.-provided equipment in harm’s way? Do the United States and Israel want – or trust – Saudi planes in the mix above Iran?
US ME policies since WWI have been proven time and again miscalculated.
Even the Trump Administration does not understand ME culture, religions, tribalism and mindset.