Lockheed Martin has awarded subcontracts to two Saudi Arabian companies to manufacture Terminal High Altitude Area Defense anti-ballistic missile system parts. Middle East Propulsion Company of Riyadh and Arabian International Company, based in Jeddah, will build interceptor canisters and missile round pallets for the THAAD weapon system.
“There are currently only two production lines for these products: the original production line in the U.S., and now an additional source of supply here in the kingdom,” Jason Reynolds, vice president and general manager of integrated air and missile defense at Lockheed Martin, told Breaking Defense.
The number of THAAD systems that will be manufactured in the region is substantial and will “keep Saudi factories busy for many years,” he added.
The subcontracts support the project approvals announced at the 2022 World Defense Show. The awards align with Saudi Vision 2030, Riyadh’s economic diversification road map that includes developing military industries in the kingdom.
