The U.S. Department of State approved on Friday, October 6 the possible sale of 44 Terminal High Altitude Area Defense launchers to Saudi Arabia worth $15 billion, the U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency said in a release.
A State Department official told The Defense Post on Friday that the sale would further U.S. national security and foreign policy interests, since it supports the long-term security of Saudi Arabia and the Gulf region “in the face of Iranian and other regional threats.”
“This sale, valued at up to $15 billion, is part of the $110 Billion package of defense equipment and services initially announced during the President’s May trip to Saudi Arabia,” the official added.
The potential sale also includes 360 THAAD Interceptor Missiles, 16 THAAD Fire Control and Communications Mobile Tactical Station Group and seven AN/TPY-2 THAAD radars. Test and maintenance equipment, as well as spare parts and personnel training equipment are also included in the package.
Lockheed Martin Space Systems Corporation and Raytheon Corporation will be the principal contractors for the deal.
The news of the potential sale came one day after Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Defense signed deals with Moscow to purchase Russia’s competing S-400 missile defense systems and other weapons.
