Gulf: The Royal Saudi Air Defense Forces (RSADF) have officially inducted their first Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missile system into active duty. The commissioning ceremony, held with military precision at the Air Defense Forces Institute in Jeddah, was attended by senior defense officials and international guests, highlighting the strategic importance of the occasion.
Presided over by Lieutenant General Mazyad Al-Amro, Commander of the RSADF, the event marked the culmination of nearly eight years of effort involving extensive procurement negotiations, integration trials, advanced training programs, and operational evaluations. In a symbolic gesture, General Al-Amro presented the regimental flag to the commander of the 1st Air Defense Group — now the first operational THAAD unit in the Kingdom.
This historic milestone is far more than ceremonial. It marks a transformation in Saudi Arabia’s air defense doctrine, signaling Riyadh’s move towards a multi-layered ballistic missile shield capable of confronting evolving regional threats, particularly from Iran’s growing ballistic missile arsenal and its proxies.
For years, Saudi Arabia has been targeted by ballistic missiles and drones launched by Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen. While Patriot PAC-2 and PAC-3 systems have provided a frontline defense, they are optimized for lower-altitude interceptions and are susceptible to saturation attacks.
The THAAD system changes that equation. Designed by Lockheed Martin, THAAD intercepts ballistic missiles during their terminal (descending) phase in the exo-atmosphere — up to 150 km in altitude and within a 200 km radius — providing an upper layer of defense that complements the Patriot system’s lower-tier protection.
With this new capability, Saudi Arabia becomes the second country in the Middle East, after the United Arab Emirates, to deploy THAAD — a move seen as part of a broader U.S.-led missile shield designed to deter Iranian aggression and reinforce regional security alliances.
The journey to operational deployment began in October 2017 when Riyadh inked a landmark arms deal with Washington, estimated at USD 15 billion.
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44 THAAD Launchers
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360 Interceptor Missiles
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16 Fire Control and Communication Centers
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7 AN/TPY-2 X-band Radars
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Support Equipment and Long-Term Maintenance Contracts
This acquisition was approved under the U.S. Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program, making it one of the largest single missile defense sales in the region.
Saudi defense officials emphasized that this was not merely an arms transaction but a strategic alliance aimed at co-producing components and transferring vital technologies. As part of the agreement, Saudi companies are now involved in manufacturing missile transport containers and launcher chassis components — an effort aligned with Vision 2030, the Kingdom’s ambitious reform plan to localize half of its military procurement.
The Kingdom’s path to readiness also included intensive personnel development. The first batch of Saudi air defense officers and engineers underwent specialized THAAD operational training at Fort Bliss, Texas, home to the U.S. Army’s Air Defense Artillery School.
In early 2025, both the first and second THAAD units completed advanced coursework in radar operations, system diagnostics, and engagement protocols. These skills are now being actively transferred to domestic training programs in Riyadh and Dhahran, ensuring a future cadre of locally trained THAAD specialists.
Military analysts say this investment in human capital signals a longer-term ambition — not only to operate imported systems but eventually to maintain, service, and innovate them within the Kingdom.
At the heart of THAAD’s effectiveness lies the AN/TPY-2 radar, a highly sophisticated, high-frequency X-band system developed by RTX (formerly Raytheon). Capable of detecting and tracking ballistic missiles at ranges between 870 km to 3,000 km, the radar can function in two operational modes:
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Forward-Based Mode: Deployed near hostile territory to detect launches early.
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Terminal Mode: Positioned near critical infrastructure for target interception.
Saudi Arabia received the first AN/TPY-2 radar unit in September 2024 as part of a USD 2.3 billion sub-agreement with RTX. According to company representatives, the radar incorporates Gallium Nitride (GaN) semiconductors, which offer superior heat resistance and performance over older Gallium Arsenide-based platforms.
“This is not just a radar — it’s a next-generation sensor suite,” said a senior RTX official. “With more than 50 system upgrades, the AN/TPY-2 deployed in Saudi Arabia is among the most advanced in the world.”
The deployment of THAAD is only one part of Saudi Arabia’s vision for a fully integrated air and missile defense shield. The Kingdom already fields a mix of systems that include:
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Patriot PAC-2/PAC-3 Interceptors
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Skyguard Laser Systems
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Shahine Short-Range Defense
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Locally-Developed Counter-Unmanned Aerial Systems (C-UAS)
Military planners are working to integrate these assets with real-time data sharing and joint command platforms, potentially linking Saudi systems with those of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states and the United States Central Command (CENTCOM).
Some analysts believe the Kingdom’s growing missile defense capability could lay the groundwork for a future Middle East Air Defense Alliance — an idea floated by U.S. and Israeli policymakers but currently stalled by regional politics.
Still, Riyadh’s actions show a clear intent: to build a defense posture that is not reactive, but predictive and pre-emptive.
Iran, whose missile arsenal includes the Shahab, Sejjil, and Khorramshahr series of medium-to-long-range systems, will likely view the THAAD deployment as a serious escalation in regional deterrence posturing. Tehran has previously criticized the U.S. for “militarizing” the Gulf and called for indigenous regional solutions to security.
However, from Riyadh’s perspective, the deployment is a long-overdue response to persistent missile threats, including the 2019 Abqaiq–Khurais attacks, which temporarily disrupted global oil markets.
“THAAD is not about aggression — it’s about stability,” one Saudi defense advisor said. “If you live under the constant threat of missile attacks, you need more than just promises of security. You need real hardware and readiness.”
The deployment also sends a strong signal to foreign investors and energy markets that the Kingdom is taking concrete steps to protect its critical infrastructure, including oil refineries, desalination plants, and urban centers like Riyadh and Jeddah.
While the first THAAD battery is now active, six additional systems are scheduled for delivery and integration by 2028. Each battery will be paired with a dedicated AN/TPY-2 radar and command node, enabling them to function autonomously or as part of a networked defense grid.
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Full-System Integration: Ensuring THAAD operates seamlessly with Patriot and legacy systems.
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Cybersecurity Hardening: Protecting the digital backbone that links sensors and launchers.
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Supply Chain Resilience: Localizing spare parts and maintenance capabilities.
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Interoperability: Sharing real-time threat data with U.S. and GCC partners.
To address these, Riyadh has initiated a number of defense innovation programs, including partnerships with Saudi universities and research centers to develop radar analytics, AI-assisted threat detection, and autonomous system testing.
The operationalization of THAAD in Saudi Arabia marks more than a technical milestone — it represents a shift in strategic doctrine and national ambition. In a region where the threat of ballistic and cruise missile attack is tangible and growing, Riyadh’s multi-billion-dollar investment in THAAD could be the decisive factor in ensuring both deterrence and defense.
As Lieutenant General Mazyad Al-Amro declared during the ceremony, “This is not the end of a project — it is the beginning of a new era in Saudi air defense. THAAD will help us secure the skies, safeguard our cities, and protect the future of our nation.”
