The Royal Saudi Air Defense Forces announced the graduation of the third company of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system after its personnel completed specialized individual training at Fort Bliss military base in El Paso, Texas.
This graduation is part of an integrated plan to qualify operation and maintenance crews for the THAAD system, one of the world’s most advanced missile defense systems and a key component of the Kingdom’s air defense.
The graduates participated in intensive programs, including technical and operational training, combat simulation, and advanced field exercises, conducted under the supervision of the manufacturer’s experts and in cooperation with the US military as part of a joint defense agreement.
The training program aligns with the Ministry of Defense’s strategy to enhance military capabilities and improve combat readiness in line with Saudi Vision 2030, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported.
Last month, the Saudi Royal Air Defense Force officially inaugurated the first unit of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missile system, following the successful completion of system testing, evaluation, and field training of personnel within Saudi Arabia.
During the event, held at the Air Defense Forces Institute in Jeddah, the Commander of the Royal Saudi Air Defense Forces handed over the unit’s flag to the Commander of the 1st Air Defense Group, marking the unit’s 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.
According to Lockheed Martin, THAAD is a highly effective, combat-proven defense against short, medium and intermediate-range ballistic missile threats. THAAD is the only U.S. system designed to intercept targets outside and inside the atmosphere. THAAD continues incremental capability improvements within the weapon system to continually improve effectiveness against current and emerging threats.
In March 2022, the THAAD Weapon System successfully demonstrated integration with the PAC-3 Missile Segment Enhancement (MSE), providing the Warfighter with an expanded battle space and enhanced flexibility.
