US Approves $15bn THAAD Missile System Sale to Saudi Arabia

The government of US President Donald Trump has approved a $15 billion sale of Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missile systems to Saudi Arabia, a move that the State Department says is aimed at addressing the kingdom’s regional concerns.

“This sale furthers US national security and foreign policy interests, and supports the long-term security of Saudi Arabia and the [Persian] Gulf region in the face of Iranian and other regional threats,” the department said in a statement on Friday, according to Press TV.

The US had already supplied the advanced missile system to Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, both Saudi Arabia’s neighbors.

 The system has also been deployed to South Korea to allegedly address US regional allies’ concerns about a possible strike by North Korea, amid ongoing tensions over Pyongyang’s ballistic missile tests and nuclear weapons programs.

It is now up to the US Congress to approve the deal within 30 days. The State Department said it would advise lawmakers that, in Saudi hands, the system would “stabilize” the situation in the region and help defend US forces and their allies there.

Besides THAAD, the package also included Patriot missiles, tanks, artillery, armored personnel carriers, warships, helicopters, patrol boats and their associated weapons systems.

In a separate statement on Friday, the Pentagon’s Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) said the deal “will support the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States by improving the security of a friendly country.”

According to DSCA, Saudis had put in orders for 44 THAAD launchers, 360 Interceptor missiles, 16 Fire Control and Communications Mobile Tactical Station Groups and seven AN/TPY-2 cutting-edge THAAD radars.

Lockheed Martin and Raytheon are the two main US contractors who will profit from the sale.