Gulf States to upgrade missile defence system

A new defence contract will see Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the UAE upgrade their missile defence capabilities.

The United States and allied military forces will upgrade their missile defence capabilities under a new $1.45 billion contract for the production and delivery of Lockheed Martin Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) and PAC-3 Missile Segment Enhancement (PAC-3 MSE) interceptors, Aerotech News reported.

The defence and aerospace industry site announced that the contract will includes PAC-3 and PAC-3 MSE missile deliveries for the US Army, and Foreign Military Sales of PAC-3 interceptors, launcher modification kits, associated equipment and spares for Qatar, the Republic of Korea, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Taiwan and the United Arab Emirates.

The PAC-3 missile is a high-velocity interceptor which can defend against including tactical ballistic missiles and cruise missiles. PAC-3 currently provides missile defence capabilities for six nations – the US, the Netherlands, Germany, Japan, the United Arab Emirates and Taiwan.

Kuwait is also under contract to procure PAC-3 missiles.