According to the latest information published on the SIPRI (Stockholm International Peace Research Institute) arms trade database, the United States is set to deliver seven THAAD air defense missile systems and 360 THAAD missiles to Saudi Arabia, with delivery planned for the period between
In October 2017, the U.S. State Department approved a foreign military sale to Saudi Arabia for THAAD and related support, equipment and services for an estimated cost of $15 billion. About a year later, in November 2018, the kingdom signed a letter of offer and acceptance with the United States for Lockheed’s THAAD. The THAAD is in service with the armed forces of the United States and the United Arab Emirates.
During the World Defense Show exhibition in Riyadh, which was held in March 2022, the Saudi General Authority for Military Industries, or GAMI, announced it approved two local projects for the THAAD air defense system: the first for manufacturing missile interceptor launchers, and the second for producing the missile interceptor canisters.
Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) is an anti-ballistic missile defense system from the United States, which is designed to intercept and destroy short, medium, and intermediate-range ballistic missiles in their terminal phase, which is either their descent or reentry phase. This is accomplished through a hit-to-kill approach.