UAE to Buy US Theater High Altitude Area Defense THADD Missile Defense System

January 2, 2012

The United States and the United Arab Emirates have signed a deal for a missile defense system in the Persian Gulf nation.

Theater High Altitude Area Defense THAAD missile launcher

The Pentagon said in a statement Friday that U.S.-based defense contractor Lockheed Martin has been awarded a nearly $2 billion contract to supply the UAE with two Terminal High Altitude Area Defense Systems (THAAD).

Defense officials say the deal includes additional equipment, training and support that boosts the total value of the package to approximately $3.48 billion.

The missile system upgrade is part of the Obama administration's efforts to build up defenses of its allies in the Middle East to offset Iran's expanding ballistic missile arsenal.

Tensions increased this week when Tehran threatened to disrupt traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, a key Persian Gulf oil transport route, if the Obama administration imposed sanctions on Iran's oil exports.

The UAE project follows Thursday's announcement that the U.S. was selling another ally, Saudi Arabia, 84 fighter jets worth $30 billion.

In September 2010, the United States agreed to sell more than 200 Patriot missiles to Kuwait worth $900 million.