Saudi Arabia Inducts First THAAD Missile Defense System into Operational Service

The Ministry of Defense has announced the formal induction of the first Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missile system unit into operational service by the Saudi Royal Air Defense Force. This announcement was made during a ceremony at the Air Defense Forces Institute located in Jeddah.

The induction follows a series of successful tests and evaluations of the system, as well as comprehensive field training for Saudi military personnel. This development represents a significant advancement in Saudi Arabia’s efforts to bolster its defenses against ballistic missile threats.

Lt. Gen. Mazyad Al-Amro, the Commander of the Royal Saudi Air Defense Forces, officiated the ceremony. During the event, he ceremonially transferred the unit flag to the commander of the 1st Air Defense Group, indicating the unit's operational readiness.

The integration of the THAAD battery is part of a larger defense strategy aimed at protecting vital national infrastructure and strengthening the Kingdom's deterrence capabilities. The THAAD system, developed in the United States, is engineered to intercept and neutralize short to intermediate-range ballistic missiles during their terminal phase through a hit-to-kill methodology.

Military personnel assigned to the new unit underwent specialized training at Fort Bliss in Texas, preparing them for the sophisticated operational requirements of the THAAD system. This training and the subsequent deployment highlight the expanding defense collaboration between Saudi Arabia and the United States.

Saudi Arabia plans to further enhance its THAAD capabilities over the coming years as a part of its broader defense modernization agenda.