Saudi Arabia bought the best American THAAD air defense system for $15 billion and will prepare four sites for them by 2026

Saudi Arabia plans to prepare the first sites for the U.S. air defense system THAAD within four years.

What we know

The government of the largest state on the Arabian Peninsula has spent $15 billion to buy Terminal High Altitude Area Defense, named as the best U.S. air defense system. By the end of the year, the kingdom will have completed the first four sites. In April 2028, all seven sites for THAAD will be ready.

The Saudi Arabia will build a storage facility for THAAD missiles in early 2025 in Al Kharaja. The first position for the deployment of a battery of missile systems will be commissioned in February 2026 on the Persian Gulf coast. Three more sites will be located in Yanbu, Taif and Khalida. Work on them will be completed during 2026.

In addition to THAAD, Saudi Arabia will soon receive 300 missiles for Patriot SAMs. The corresponding agreement between the states was concluded in early August 2022. The cost of the contract is $3.05 billion.

Terminal High Altitude Area Defense can destroy enemy ballistic missiles with a launch range of 3500 km both in the atmosphere and outside it. The interception altitude is 200 km. THAAD uses 900 kg missiles that can reach speeds of over Mach 8 (2,800 m/s). The radar system of the missile complex is capable of detecting enemy targets at a distance of 1,000 kilometers.

Source: The Eurasian Times

Image: The Defense Post

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