Latest news with #TerminalHighAltitudeAreaDefense
Time of India
2 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
On Cam: Trump's Border Patrol, ICE Agents Go Berserk Inside New York Court, Bash ‘ILLEGAL ALIENS'
Iran To Attack U.S. Bases In Saudi Arabia? MBS In Action, Deploys THAAD Air Defence System | Watch Saudi Arabia has officially activated its first Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system in Jeddah after successful testing and training. This move aims to bolster Riyadh's defensive capabilities. The inauguration comes weeks after Iran struck a U.S. airbase in Qatar on June 23, following a U.S. bombing of three Iranian nuclear facilities on June 22. Both strikes occurred amidst a 12-day war between Israel and Iran. The THAAD system, operating on a "hit-to-kill" method, can detect missiles over 2,000 km away. Saudi Arabia reportedly bought the THAAD battery for $15 billion during Trump's first term, with plans for six more. The Trump administration also approved $3.5 billion in weapons sales to Riyadh in June and precision-guided weapon sales in March. 4.4K views | 8 hours ago
Time of India
2 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Iran To Attack U.S. Bases In Saudi Arabia? MBS In Action, Deploys THAAD Air Defence System
Iran To Attack U.S. Bases In Saudi Arabia? MBS In Action, Deploys THAAD Air Defence System | Watch Source: Saudi Arabia has officially activated its first Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system in Jeddah after successful testing and training. This move aims to bolster Riyadh's defensive capabilities. The inauguration comes weeks after Iran struck a U.S. airbase in Qatar on June 23, following a U.S. bombing of three Iranian nuclear facilities on June 22. Both strikes occurred amidst a 12-day war between Israel and Iran. The THAAD system, operating on a "hit-to-kill" method, can detect missiles over 2,000 km away. Saudi Arabia reportedly bought the THAAD battery for $15 billion during Trump's first term, with plans for six more. The Trump administration also approved $3.5 billion in weapons sales to Riyadh in June and precision-guided weapon sales in March.
Roya News
3 days ago
- Business
- Roya News
Saudi Arabia activates US made THAAD missile defence system
Saudi Arabia has officially deployed its first Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system, marking a major step in the kingdom's efforts to bolster its air defense capabilities. The announcement was made by the Saudi Ministry of Defense following a formal inauguration ceremony held at the Air Defense Forces Institute in Jeddah. The US-made THAAD system is designed to intercept short- and medium-range ballistic missiles both inside and outside the Earth's atmosphere. According to Saudi officials, the deployment aims to protect vital infrastructure and strategic areas across the kingdom. The launch follows extensive testing and training programs conducted within Saudi Arabia. Riyadh is now the second Gulf country, after the United Arab Emirates, to field the advanced missile defense system. The UAE acquired its first THAAD batteries in 2011, which became operational in 2016. Qatar is also set to receive THAAD systems as part of a USD 42 billion US arms deal announced during US President Donald Trump's regional tour. The US approved the sale of THAAD to Saudi Arabia in 2019 as part of a broader USD 110 billion arms agreement signed during Trump's first term. In 2022, Saudi Arabia also struck a deal with Lockheed Martin to manufacture components for the system, including interceptor launchers and canisters, though a production start date has not been disclosed. Meanwhile, Newsweek reported that the THAAD system, currently deployed in countries including 'Israel', South Korea, Japan, and Taiwan, has faced performance issues. The magazine noted that the US depleted nearly 20 percent of its global THAAD missile stockpile while supporting 'Israel' during a recent 12-day conflict with Iran. Despite its reputation, the system has reportedly struggled to intercept missiles fired from Iran and Yemen toward occupied territories.
Newsweek
3 days ago
- Newsweek
Key Trump Ally Bolsters Missile Defense as Iran Threatens
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. 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. Echo Battery and Task Force Talon on July 19, 2024, standing ready to protect and defend the U.S. territory of Guam and the United States at a moment's notice. Echo Battery and Task Force Talon on July 19, 2024, standing ready to protect and defend the U.S. territory of Guam and the United States at a moment's notice. Lt. Vincent Antoniello/U.S. Army/DVIDS 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. قوات #الدفاع_الجوي تُدشّن أول سرية من نظام الدفاع الجوي الصاروخي «الثاد» بعد استكمال اختبار وفحص وتشغيل منظوماتها، وتنفيذ التدريب الجماعي الميداني لمنسوبيها داخل أراضي المملكة. — وزارة الدفاع (@modgovksa) July 2, 2025 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.
Saudi Gazette
4 days ago
- General
- Saudi Gazette
Saudi Royal Air Defense Force commissions first THAAD missile defense unit
Saudi Gazette report JEDDAH — The Saudi Royal Air Defense Force officially inaugurated the first unit of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missile system during a ceremony held at the Air Defense Forces Institute in Jeddah, the Ministry of Defense announced. The unit was commissioned into service following the successful completion of system testing, evaluation, and field training of personnel within the Kingdom. The ceremony was attended by Lt. Gen. Mazyad Al-Amro, Commander of the Royal Saudi Air Defense Forces, who formally handed over the unit's flag to the commander of the 1st Air Defense Group, marking its operational readiness. The deployment of the first THAAD battery is part of a broader defense project aimed at boosting the Kingdom's air defense capabilities and ensuring the protection of vital strategic infrastructure and national interests. Previously, the Air Defense Forces had graduated personnel for the first and second THAAD units after they completed specialized training courses at Fort Bliss in the U.S. state of Texas.
