In a major move to enhance its defense capabilities, the Saudi Ministry of Defense announced the acquisition of six cutting-edge air defense systems. These systems, procured from several countries, are designed to counter the increasingly sophisticated threats posed by ballistic missiles, drones, and precision-guided munitions. The addition of these new technologies signifies Saudi Arabia’s commitment to modernizing its air defense network and ensuring the protection of its critical infrastructure.
The six systems, sourced from the United States, Russia, China, Singapore, Italy, and France, represent a diversified approach to addressing a broad spectrum of aerial threats. This procurement marks a significant milestone for the Saudi Armed Forces, enhancing their ability to detect, track, and neutralize a variety of airborne dangers.
Saudi Arabia’s acquisition of advanced air defense systems reflects a deliberate strategy of diversifying its defense suppliers and upgrading its military capabilities to meet modern challenges. Each of the newly integrated systems has been tailored to counter specific types of threats, ranging from high-altitude ballistic missiles to low-flying drones.
The systems include:
- THAAD (U.S.)
- Pantsir-S1M (Russia)
- Silent Hunter (China)
- Orion-H9 (Singapore)
- ADRIAN (Italy)
- Crotale NG (France)
This comprehensive package demonstrates the Saudi government’s focus on a multi-layered defense approach, one that spans various altitudes, ranges, and threat types.
- THAAD: A Cornerstone of Saudi Missile Defense
At the core of Saudi Arabia’s missile defense architecture is the U.S.-made THAAD (Terminal High Altitude Area Defense) system. Developed by Lockheed Martin, THAAD is specifically designed to intercept and neutralize ballistic missiles during their terminal phase — the point at which they re-enter the Earth’s atmosphere and prepare for impact.
This high-altitude, high-speed defense mechanism is critical in protecting the kingdom from missile threats posed by regional actors. Capable of detecting and tracking missiles at ranges exceeding 200 kilometers and intercepting them at speeds of up to Mach 8.2, THAAD adds a vital layer of protection against long-range and intermediate-range ballistic missiles. In addition to its deployment in Saudi Arabia, THAAD has been used in several countries, and its first combat deployment occurred in 2022.
THAAD’s role within Saudi Arabia’s defense network is clear: it provides a powerful deterrent against missile attacks, allowing the kingdom to intercept and destroy incoming threats before they reach populated or strategically important areas. This system also integrates with the AN/TPY-2 radar, which can coordinate with other missile defense platforms, creating a more comprehensive shield over the kingdom.
- Russian Pantsir-S1M: Defending Against Multiple Aerial Threats
Another major addition to Saudi Arabia’s defense portfolio is the Pantsir-S1M, a short- to medium-range air defense system developed by Russia. Known for its versatility, the Pantsir-S1M combines surface-to-air missiles with anti-aircraft artillery to engage a wide range of aerial targets, including drones, cruise missiles, and low-flying aircraft.
This acquisition highlights Saudi Arabia’s shift toward acquiring systems from non-traditional suppliers, a move likely influenced by the changing dynamics of global defense procurement and the necessity of fielding a wide variety of capabilities.
The Pantsir-S1M’s ability to simultaneously engage multiple targets makes it a valuable addition to the kingdom’s efforts to defend critical infrastructure, such as oil facilities and military installations, from aerial attacks. The cost of each Pantsir unit is estimated at $15 million, although the exact number procured by Saudi Arabia has not been disclosed. Variants of the Pantsir, including the S2 and SM models, offer expanded capabilities, allowing the system to operate effectively in diverse environments, including extreme cold with the Arctic-specific SA variant.
- Silent Hunter: China’s Laser Defense Against Drones
As drone warfare becomes an increasingly prominent threat in modern conflicts, Saudi Arabia has responded by acquiring the Silent Hunter, a laser-based defense system developed by China. This system is designed specifically to neutralize low-flying drones, which have been used in various conflicts to deliver precision-guided munitions or conduct reconnaissance.
Unlike conventional anti-aircraft systems that rely on missiles or bullets, Silent Hunter uses laser technology to disable drones. This ammunition-free solution provides a more cost-effective and sustainable approach to countering the growing use of small, agile unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). The system is capable of intercepting drones at distances of up to 1,000 meters, and its reliance on electricity rather than traditional projectiles significantly reduces operational costs.
Silent Hunter has already proven its worth, having been deployed in several Saudi Arabian defense exhibitions and operations. By February 2024, Saudi Arabia had integrated eight units of the system into its defense network, with reports indicating that Silent Hunter successfully intercepted 13 drones in recent engagements.
- Singapore’s Orion-H9: Enhancing Surveillance and Early Warning Capabilities
Saudi Arabia’s partnership with Singapore has also borne fruit with the integration of the Orion-H9, an advanced radar system developed by Singapore’s TRD Systems. The Orion-H9 is designed to provide long-range surveillance and early warning capabilities, a critical component in the defense against aerial threats.
The radar system is capable of detecting and tracking multiple targets simultaneously over vast distances, enhancing the Saudi Armed Forces’ ability to identify potential threats before they enter the kingdom’s airspace.
The acquisition of the Orion-H9 also signals Saudi Arabia’s commitment to regional partnerships. A joint venture between Saudi Arabia and Singapore, known as TRD Middle East Industry Co., was established to localize production and development of anti-drone technology, with the Lightning Shield System, based on the Orion-H9, emerging as one of its key products. This man-portable system can operate across multiple RF bands and GNSS systems, providing flexible and mobile defense solutions.
- ADRIAN: Italy’s Solution for Miniature Drones
The rise of small and micro UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles) has presented new challenges for modern air defense systems, prompting Saudi Arabia to acquire the ADRIAN (Anti-Drone Interception Acquisition Neutralisation) system from Italy’s Elettronica Group.
ADRIAN is a highly sophisticated counter-drone system that combines radar, electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) sensors, and radio link interceptors to detect and identify drones. The system employs advanced artificial intelligence algorithms to distinguish drones from other objects, reducing false alarms and improving response accuracy. Once a drone is detected, ADRIAN can neutralize the threat using electronic countermeasures, including jamming or GNSS spoofing, without causing physical damage.
This non-destructive approach makes ADRIAN particularly useful in urban environments or near critical infrastructure, where collateral damage from traditional anti-aircraft systems could be devastating.
- Crotale NG: France’s Medium-Range Air Defense System
Rounding out the list of newly acquired systems is the Crotale NG, a medium-range air defense system from France’s Thales Group. Designed to protect against a range of aerial threats, including aircraft, helicopters, and missiles, the Crotale NG has a combat-proven track record and has been adapted for both land and naval operations.
The system’s VT-1 missiles travel at speeds of up to Mach 3.5 and have an effective range of over 11 kilometers. Coupled with its radar and electro-optical sensors, the Crotale NG provides Saudi Arabia with a robust medium-range solution for defending key installations from aerial attacks.
Saudi Arabia’s decision to invest in these advanced air defense systems is informed by the lessons learned from recent global conflicts, including the ongoing war in Ukraine and the recent conflict in Gaza. Both of these conflicts have underscored the growing importance of multi-layered air defense systems capable of countering diverse threats such as missiles, drones, and precision-guided munitions.
In Ukraine, Russian missile strikes and the use of drones have overwhelmed traditional air defenses, leading to a renewed focus on integrated, multi-tiered defense systems. Similarly, in Gaza, militant groups have demonstrated the effectiveness of using low-cost drones and rockets in swarm tactics, overwhelming more sophisticated defense networks.
These conflicts serve as a stark reminder for Saudi Arabia, which faces similar threats from regional actors, particularly from Iran and its proxies. The acquisition of the THAAD, Pantsir-S1M, Silent Hunter, and other systems represents a proactive effort to counter these evolving threats and protect Saudi Arabia’s critical infrastructure from potential attacks.
