Key Trump Ally Bolsters Missile Defense as Iran Threatens

Saudi Arabia has announced the deployment of its first Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) battery and the operational readiness of its first associated unit, its Defense Ministry said.

Why It Matters

Saudi Arabia, a key U.S. partner, is strengthening missile defense capabilities amid escalating regional threats, particularly missile attacks from Iran and proxy groups such as the Yemeni Houthis.

This step highlights Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 commitment to boosting domestic defense manufacturing, supported by U.S. firms to transfer technology and build regional capabilities.

What To Know

Saudi Arabia has officially activated its first THAAD missile unit, following successful system tests and troop training, the ministry said.

Royal Saudi Air Defense Forces commander handed the unit’s flag to the commander of the 1st Air Defense Group in a launch ceremony that took place at the Air Defense Forces Institute in Jeddah, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Saudi Arabia began deploying its first THAAD missile system in February, according to an analysis by the open-source intelligence company Janes of footage from a graduation ceremony at the Air Defense Forces Institute. The event marked the graduation of the first Saudi THAAD operators, who completed their training at Fort Bliss, Texas, in November.

Arabian International Co. for Steel Structures, a Saudi company in Jeddah, was awarded a subcontract by Lockheed Martin last year to manufacture key THAAD components. In May, Saudi Arabia completed its first domestically produced parts of the missile launcher, Arab News reported.

The missile system at Al-Udeid Air Base in Qatar intercepted ballistic missiles launched from Iran during the June conflict involving the U.S. and Israel, with the latter also benefiting from the THAAD system to intercept incoming ballistic missiles in Iranian retaliatory attacks.

What People Are Saying

Saudi Arabia’s Defense Ministry wrote on X, in Arabic: “The Royal Saudi Air Defense Forces inaugurated the first unit of the THAAD air defense missile system after completing testing, inspection, and operation of its systems, and conducting collective field training for its personnel within the Kingdom.”

Joseph Rank, the vice president and CEO of Lockheed Martin for Saudi Arabia and Africa, told Arab News in May: “We used to build things here. Now we’re actually manufacturing things here. So the big opportunity is manufacturing, co-production, co-development and transfer of technology. This is jobs for Lockheed Martin in the U.S. and jobs for Saudi industry here. A win-win-win.”

What Happens Next

As concerns over renewed military escalation with Iran grow, Gulf states are deepening cooperation with the U.S. and urging diplomatic efforts to avoid a wider regional conflict.