Saudi Arabia Gains New Batch of THAAD Operators—Just in Time for War

Topic: SecurityBlog Brand: The BuzzRegion: Middle EastTags: Airstrikes, Iran, Missile Defense, Saudi Arabia, and THAADSaudi Arabia Gains New Batch of THAAD Operators—Just in Time for War April 25, 2025By: Brandon J. WeichertShareShare this link on FacebookShare this page on X (Twitter)Share this link on LinkedInEmail a link to this pageBy having more operators to man the country’s robust THAAD network, Riyadh believes it will better mitigate the threat they are facing with an increasingly unstable Iranian neighbor. Saudi Arabia is on the frontlines of whatever crisis is about to befall the Middle East, as the nuclear-arming Islamic Republic of Iran squares off against Israel and the United States.

Riyadh is mortified about the prospects of a regional war because of their proximity to the fighting. If the Americans and Israelis unleash the kind of airstrikes that analysts have speculated they might, Saudi Arabia would be targeted in any Iranian retaliatory strike.As a result of this, Saudi Arabia has spent the last decade enhancing its air defense capacity.



Recently, the Royal Saudi Air Defense Forces (RSADF) graduated a second tranche of personnel trained to operate the American-made Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) air defense system from the training facility at Fort Bliss, Texas.These new Saudi THAAD operators will return to their country with entirely new, relevant skill sets that will allow for them to successfully operate the 44 THAAD launchers, 360 interceptors, seven radars, and the total command-and-control infrastructure undergirding the THAAD system that Saudi Arabia purchased from the Americans in 2017.The One Reason Saudi Arabia Needs THAAD SystemsWith the level of tension in the region—as Israel’s leadership insists that they are preparing to strike hard and fast against Iranian targets, regardless of what transpires with the ongoing Trump denuclearization talks with Iran’s leaders—Saudi Arabia cannot afford to be caught by surprise.

Previous bouts of hostilities between the West and Iran have seen Saudi Arabia suffer as a target. Notably, during the 2019 round of tensions that erupted in Trump’s first term, Iran launched a missile barrage at the critical Abqaiq oil refinery in southern Saudi Arabia, briefly knocking it online—briefly cutting Saudi oil production in half. Abqaiq is key to Saudi Arabia’s oil production, and in 2019, there was concern that the facility would be offline for a protracted period.

Fortunately, the Saudis were able to restore functionality quickly. However, Iran also learned from the incident—and is certain to target Abqaiq again, with more advanced missiles this time. If the Iranian retaliation is robust enough, the facility might be out of commission long enough to spike the price of oil on the global market.

By having more operators to man the country’s robust THAAD network, Riyadh believes it will better mitigate the threat they are facing with an increasingly unstable Iranian neighbor. How the THAAD System Could Protect Saudi Arabia’s Oil SectorThe THAAD air defense system is designed to intercept and destroy ballistic missiles during their terminal phase, a.k.

a. descent or reentry. Developed by Lockheed Martin, it is one of the most vital components of the U.

S. Missile Defense Agency’s (MDA) layered defense strategy.THAAD can intercept incoming missiles at up to 100 miles in the atmosphere, with a kill radius of around 124 miles, using a “hit-to-kill” technology—destroying the target by direct collision, rather than an air explosion.

This system uses a powerful AN/TPY-2 radar that operates on the X-band for tracking and discriminating targets. Its non-explosive missiles are popped off from mobile truck-mounted launchers. Meanwhile, it has a complex fire control system for coordination and communication to enhance the lethality of this system.

More importantly, this system is highly interoperable with other missile defense systems, notably the U.S. Navy’s AEGIS system and the U.

S. Army’s Patriot missile defense batteries. Its presence in Saudi Arabia not only enhances the kingdom’s protection from the inevitable Iranian fusillade, but it further defends the overall Gulf region from Iran’s strategic mania.

This ensures that Saudi Arabia’s neighbors are better protected, as are the American military bases arrayed throughout the region that will undoubtedly become primary targets of Iran’s ire after a successful strike on the Islamic Republic. Saudi-based THAAD may even be a lifesaver for the U.S.

troops who will soon find themselves under Iranian missile attack in the Middle East. Overall, the recent graduation of Saudi THAAD operators cannot come soon enough. Their deployment will be key as the situation with Iran in the region deteriorates.

Frankly, there should be more Saudis graduating from the THAAD course at Fort Bliss; if there are not, the kind of missile attacks Iran will initiate if their suspected nuclear weapons facilities are destroyed by U.S. and/or Israeli airstrikes will be devastating to the region.

About the Author: Brandon J. WeichertBrandon J. Weichert, a Senior National Security Editor at The National Interest as well as a contributor at Popular Mechanics, who consults regularly with various government institutions and private organizations on geopolitical issues.

Weichert’s writings have appeared in multiple publications, including the Washington Times, National Review, The American Spectator, MSN, the Asia Times, and countless others. His books include Winning Space: How America Remains a Superpower, Biohacked: China’s Race to Control Life, and The Shadow War: Iran’s Quest for Supremacy. His newest book, A Disaster of Our Own Making: How the West Lost Ukraine is available for purchase wherever books are sold.

He can be followed via Twitter @WeTheBrandon.Image: Wikimedia Commons.The post Saudi Arabia Gains New Batch of THAAD Operators—Just in Time for War appeared first on The National Interest.

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