According to the Saudi Ministry of Defense on August 24, 2025, the Royal Saudi Air Defense Forces have graduated their third class of THAAD operators following specialized training at the U.S. Army’s Fort Bliss in Texas. This milestone enhances the Kingdom’s ability to operate one of the world’s most advanced missile defense systems independently, amid rising concerns over Iran’s expanding ballistic missile and drone programs threatening regional military and strategic assets.
The Lockheed Martin-built THAAD system intercepts short- and intermediate-range ballistic missiles at altitudes above 150 km and ranges up to 200 km. A single battery typically includes 6–9 launchers, each with 8 interceptors, an AN/TPY-2 X-band radar, and a fire control system. Unlike Patriot systems optimized for lower-altitude threats, THAAD provides exo-atmospheric interception and can neutralize advanced threats carrying separating warheads or decoys.
Training Saudi operators at Fort Bliss ensures both system proficiency and long-term operational sustainability. Supervised by the U.S. Army’s 32nd Air and Missile Defense Command, this program integrates Saudi Arabia into a broader regional missile defense network while reinforcing bilateral defense cooperation.
The deployment of THAAD also serves as a strategic deterrent against Iran’s regional missile and drone capabilities. The first Saudi THAAD battery, delivered in July 2025, marks the operational start of the $15 billion program approved in 2017. Alongside THAAD, Riyadh continues to expand its U.S. defense procurement portfolio, including AIM-120C-8 AMRAAMs and APKWS II laser-guided munitions, combining foreign acquisition with steps toward localized production to strengthen overall defense capacity.
