US approves Patriot sale to Saudi Arabia and THAAD sale to UAE
US set to deliver 300 Patriot GEM-T missiles to Saudi Arabia, pictured above is the Patriot missile system. (Photo: US Army)
Following Joe Biden’s visit to the nations last month, two possible missile deals have been approved with Saudi Arabia and the UAE.
The US State Department has approved a possible FMS to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for Patriot MIM-104E Guidance Enhanced Missile-Tactical Ballistic Missiles and related equipment.
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia requested to buy 300 Patriot missiles at an estimated cost of $3.05 billion.
The value given is for the highest estimated quantity dollar value based on initial requirements, the actual value will be lower depending on the deal's conclusion.
The US State Department released a statement on the sale, explaining: ‘These missiles are used to defend the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s borders against persistent Houthi cross-border unmanned aerial system and ballistic missile attacks on civilian sites and critical infrastructure in Saudi Arabia.’
The US currently maintains a policy of a ban on the sale of offensive weaponry to Saudi Arabia, due to criticism regarding the latter's indiscriminate use of US weapons in their conflict against the Houthis resulting in high civilian casualties.
The State Department also announced its approval of a possible FMS to the UAE of 96 Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) System Missiles, THAAD Fire Control and Communications Stations and related equipment for an estimated $2.25 billion.
According to Shephard Defence Insight, the GEM-T missile is capable of operating up to a 70km range and up to a maximum altitude of 24km. The minimum flight time is less than nine seconds and the maximum is three and a half minutes.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
MIM-104E PAC-2 Guidance Enhanced Missile-Tactical ballistic missile (GEM-T)
More from Land Warfare
-
![MyDefence delivers counter-drone system to US Army ahead of livefire exercise]()
MyDefence delivers counter-drone system to US Army ahead of livefire exercise
The Soldier-Kit system consists of detector, jammer, tablet and wideband antenna and is being evaluated as part of Project Flytrap 3.0 counter uncrewed aerial system (CUAS) exercise.
-
![Arquus and Milrem push their UGVs fitted with long-range missiles]()
Arquus and Milrem push their UGVs fitted with long-range missiles
Arquus displayed the Drailer uncrewed ground vehicle (UGV) integrating the Akeron LP long-range missile at the Techterre technology demonstrator event ahead of trials in September.
-
![Czech CAESAR howitzer order at risk of cancellation]()
Czech CAESAR howitzer order at risk of cancellation
The Czech Republic ordered 52 CAmion Equipé d’un Système d’ARtillerie (CAESAR) self-propelled howitzers (SPHs) in 2021 and added another 10 a year later. A cancellation of the programme would impact both the army’s capabilities and local industry which is involved in the manufacture.
-
![Sweden turns to Nammo and Rheinmetall as world demand grows for 155mm shells]()
Sweden turns to Nammo and Rheinmetall as world demand grows for 155mm shells
Demand for ammunition continues to increase with manufacturing capability growing to match. Sweden have turned to the two supply lines of Rheinmetall and Nammo as part of a Nordic effort to meet demand. The Polish Government has also announced a US$700 million investment to boost manufacture of munitions.
-
![Contract moves new Abrams tank forward in the face of cuts]()
Contract moves new Abrams tank forward in the face of cuts
Several US Army vehicle programmes were axed by US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth’s plans to transform the US Army, as outlined in the Letter to the Force: Army Transformation Initiative document. However, the new generation Abrams M1E3 main battle tank (MBT) was singled out for survival. But what will it look like?
