September 02, 2025:
In July 2025, Saudi Arabia’s first Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missile unit achieved full operational status. The Saudi Ministry of Defense attributed this milestone to years of strategic planning, meticulous procurement, and rigorous testing and training. Saudi military personnel now operate the battery, and the nation takes great pride in this advanced defense capability.
Before the July activation, Saudi air defense officers and crews completed months of intensive training at the U.S. Army’s Fort Bliss air and space defense facility in Texas, the primary training site for THAAD operators.
THAAD is a sophisticated U.S.-made anti-ballistic missile (ABM) system designed to intercept and destroy ballistic missiles in their terminal phase using hit-to-kill technology. The latest THAAD model can engage targets at altitudes up to 150 kilometers and ranges of approximately 200 kilometers, with missiles rated at Mach 8 (hypersonic). The extended-range THAAD operates in both endo-atmospheric and exo-atmospheric environments. According to the Pentagon, THAAD is designed to counter short-range (SRBM, up to 1,000 km), medium-range (MRBM, 1,000–3,000 km), and intermediate-range (IRBM, 3,000–5,000 km) ballistic missiles.
The U.S. has deployed THAAD systems in South Korea and Guam, and temporarily stationed a battery in Israel.
In October 2017, Saudi Arabia signed a $15 billion contract with the U.S. to procure seven THAAD batteries, including 44 launchers, 360 advanced THAAD-ER (extended-range) interceptor missiles, 16 fire control and communication stations, and seven high-resolution AN/TPY-2 tracking radars. The agreement also covers support equipment, long-term maintenance, and critical training assistance.
As threats from Iranian missiles, drones, and proxies like Hezbollah and Hamas have intensified, Saudi Arabia’s defense needs have evolved. Unlike Israel, which relies on its multi-layered Iron Dome system to counter rockets and artillery in its compact geography, Saudi Arabia’s vast territory faces different threats. While field artillery and mortars pose little immediate risk, ballistic and cruise missiles and drones endanger Saudi oilfields, refineries, ports, urban centers, and strategic military assets like airbases. The September 2019 Iranian drone attack on the Abqaiq oil facility and Khurais oil field, involving an estimated 25 drones, disrupted over seven million barrels of daily oil production.
Iran and its proxies continue to target Saudi Arabia with SRBMs, MRBMs, IRBMs, and drones. Saudi Arabia already deploys Patriot PAC-3 ABMs, which are lower-tier systems with a range of 20–25 kilometers. Patriot launchers can also fire PAC-2 anti-aircraft missiles, effective against slower drones at ranges up to 70 kilometers.
The Saudis have had a lot of Patriot combat experience, primarily intercepting Houthi drones and short range ballistic missiles. No doubt that experience impressed their American instructors at Ft. Bliss. (AB)