Saudi Arabia deal for more PAC-3 missiles 41610151

Defence & Security News - (Saudi Arabia)
 
Saudi Arabia deal for more PAC-3 missiles
Saudi Arabia has signed a deal to procure an additional batch of Patriot air defence system PAC-3 missiles, according to Reuters. The 320 interceptors that will be acquired are part of last July’s request to DCSA for 600 units. The overall deal will cost USD5.4 billion.
     
Saudi Arabia deal for more PAC-3 missiles
A PAC-3 missile after launch (Source: Lockheed Martin)
     

The rest of the 280 missiles are expected to be procured next year, according to Joe Garland’s, VP of the Missiles and Fire Control Division of Lockheed Martin, to Reuters. He has also revealed that Saudi Arabia has accelerated the procedures to acquire the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense missile defence system.

Saudi Arabia is eager to strengthen its air defence capabilities due to Iran’s ongoing ballistic missile programme and the recent Scud missile strike from Yemen. The same security concerns are raised from the rest of the Gulf Cooperation Countries. The Saudi Arabian procurement could open the way for a joint air defence web in the region and maybe the acquisition of additional units of these systems from the neighbouring countries.