The United States government has authorized the potential sale of a significant batch of hundreds of Patriot PAC-3 interceptor missiles to equip the Saudi Arabian Armed Forces. This follows one of the most recent notifications from the U.S. Department of State to Congress seeking approval for the transaction, which falls under the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program and is valued at US$9 billion.
Since the early 1990s, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has been one of the main operators of the U.S.-supplied Patriot air defense system. Its incorporation into Saudi military capabilities aimed to provide the country with an anti-aircraft and ballistic missile defense system against Iranian threats.
At present, the country operates MIM-104 Patriot missile systems in the PAC-2 and PAC-3 variants, employed by the Royal Saudi Air Force, which is making significant efforts to maintain the availability of its stockpiles.
This was reported on January 30 by the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA), which stated that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia requested the purchase of a total of seven hundred and thirty (730) PATRIOT Advanced Capability-3 Missile Segment Enhancement (PAC-3 MSE) interceptor missiles from the United States to equip its Armed Forces.
The operation, valued at US$9 billion, lists Lockheed Martin as the principal contractor and includes the delivery of a comprehensive package consisting of conversion kits, automated logistics systems, telemetry, training missiles, as well as the necessary ground support equipment and the provision of support and training services.
The Department of State indicated that the “…proposed sale will improve Saudi Arabia’s capability to meet current and future threats by providing advanced air defense missiles as part of a modernized integrated air and missile defense (IAMD) system, thereby strengthening its air defense capabilities. This enhanced capability will protect Saudi Arabian, U.S., and allied ground forces and will significantly improve Saudi Arabia’s contribution to IAMD in the CENTCOM region. Saudi Arabia will have no difficulty absorbing these equipment and services into its Armed Forces.”
Finally, regarding the PAC-3 MSE, this is one of the most advanced versions of the Patriot interceptor family, featuring differences in the method of target neutralization compared to the earlier PAC-2 variants.
In detail, the MIM-104F — as they are also designated — feature a different configuration based on the so-called “hit-to-kill” capability, whereby the interceptor missile physically impacts its target, unlike the fragmentation warheads used in previous variants.
These capabilities were further expanded with the introduction of the Missile Segment Enhancement (MSE) variant, through which the PAC-3 incorporates a new rocket motor along with other components that increase its range and interception altitude. However, many of these characteristics have not been officially detailed and remain classified.
Nevertheless, Lockheed Martin states that the PAC-3 MSE incorporates “…a larger dual-pulse solid rocket motor; larger fins; and upgraded actuators and thermal batteries to support increased performance.”
Adding that the “…modifications extend the missile’s range. The PAC-3 MSE is delivered in a single stackable container, providing logistical flexibility. Twelve individual PAC-3 MSE missiles can be loaded on a Patriot launcher, or a mix of six MSE and eight PAC-3 missiles (two four-packs) can be installed on the launcher.”
Photographs and images used for illustrative purposes.
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