Saudi Arabia’s Royal Air Defense Forces said on Sunday they had graduated the third unit trained to operate the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system, following months of specialized instruction at Fort Bliss in El Paso, Texas.
The new cohort marks the latest phase in a program to train Saudi crews to operate and maintain one of the world’s most advanced missile defense systems, which Riyadh has made a cornerstone of its air defense network.
Graduates underwent intensive technical and operational training, including combat simulations and advanced field exercises, under the supervision of US instructors and the system’s manufacturer, the air defense forces said in a statement carried by state news agency SPA.
The program is part of the Saudi defense ministry’s push to boost combat readiness and align with Vision 2030, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s economic and military modernization plan, which also seeks to localize defense technology.
A graduation ceremony at Fort Bliss was attended by Maj. Gen. Khalid bin Abdulrahman al-Zahrani, commander of the kingdom’s First Air Defense Group, representing the air defense commander, along with US officials and training staff.
Saudi Arabia commissioned its first THAAD unit in July, aiming to strengthen its defenses against aerial threats and protect critical infrastructure.
