The U.S. will strengthen the UAE's defenses with THAAD air defense systems
Lockheed Martin Space will receive $211,435 million to manufacture new launchers for the THAAD missile defense system in Configuration 3 for the United Arab Emirates.
Amendment P00082 to Contract HQ0147-19-C-5001, awarded under the Foreign Military Sales program, calls for the delivery of new C3-standard THAAD launchers to the UAE.
Each launcher is capable of carrying eight interceptor missiles that destroy ballistic targets using the “hit-to-kill” principle.
The contract was awarded by the U.S. Missile Defense Agency (MDA). The transition to Configuration 3 involves new hardware and the THAAD System Build 5.0 software package.
The Configuration 3 upgrade aims to replace outdated equipment, address cybersecurity vulnerabilities, and improve the system’s maintainability.
Build 5.0 also includes:
- an update to the Link 16 interface;
- integration of the Common X-Band 6.0 software;
- upgrades to the AN/TPY-2 radar.
At the same time, MDA is developing the Radio Frequency Remote THAAD Launcher concept, which will allow launchers to be deployed at a distance from the battery’s main position while maintaining radio frequency communication with fire control systems.
This approach is particularly important for the UAE, where air bases, ports, energy infrastructure, and major cities located in various parts of the country require protection.
Dispersing THAAD components makes it more difficult for an adversary to destroy the entire battery in a single strike.
In addition, this architecture expands the system’s capabilities to simultaneously intercept ballistic missiles that may attack from different directions.
The relevance of this approach was particularly evident during the UAE’s confrontation with Iran in 2026. Massive attacks with ballistic missiles and drones on military, energy, and civilian facilities demonstrated the importance of missile defense resilience against sustained, repeated strikes.
The issue of supplying missiles for air defense and missile defense systems has also been actively discussed in Ukraine recently.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has stated that Ukraine expects to acquire the technical capability to independently produce missiles for air defense systems by the end of 2026. In particular, Kyiv is working to obtain licenses to manufacture missiles for Patriot systems.
At the same time, negotiations between Ukraine and the U.S. regarding the localization of such production are progressing unevenly. Despite the agreements reached during the NATO summit in Ankara, U.S. Ambassador to NATO Matthew Whitaker clarified that Ukraine has not yet received an official license to manufacture Patriot interceptors.
This was reported by Army Recognition.
As a reminder, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) government has blamed Iran for the attack on two vessels belonging to the state-owned oil company ADNOC in the Strait of Hormuz. The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs made this statement on August 14.
U.S. President Donald Trump stated that the Strait of Hormuz could be fully open to international shipping as early as August 4. After that, he said, Washington and Tehran will move on to a new phase of negotiations focused on Iran’s nuclear program.
U.S. President Donald Trump also called on American oil companies to immediately lower gasoline prices for consumers. Separately, he criticized Chevron CEO Mike Wirth.
