Dear Members and Friends,
In the relevance of over 100 combat intercepts of ballistic missiles from the Houthis in Yemen – supported by Iran – into Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, President Trump signed a $110 billion deal (link) that will include providing the THAAD missile defense system that will greatly enhance Saudi Arabia’s defense from Iran and Iranian backed groups. Having multiple THAADs deployed by Saudi Arabia throughout their country, to include Mecca and Riyadh, provides a complete high altitude and layered defense for current, future complex, and multiple raids of ballistic missiles from Iran and its backed groups. The THAAD system works in conjunction with the Patriot missile defense system, which will also be part of the deal, for a layered defense. THAAD as a higher and first intercept shield in high altitude and in low space, that can defend its wide area of population, cities and bases as it does for Korea and Guam today from North Korea.
Saudi Arabia acquiring and deploying multiple THAAD systems along with Patriot systems overcomes Iran’s capabilities to strike Saudi Arabia and that of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) in whole in its deterrence posture while changing the dynamics and calculus of Iran and its ballistic missile threat upon Saudi Arabia and its GCC allies. With THAAD deployments, Iran and its funded groups will no longer be able to hold Saudi Arabia, its religion and its population hostage or threaten them with ballistic missiles.
The U.S.-Saudi Arabia signing is a strategic master deal that enables active defense with a close ally against a real threat that is using ballistic missiles in combat to kill citizens of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The signed partnership with the leader of the GCC solidifies the entire GCC region as the THAAD deployed there can also defend vast areas near and outside the borders of Saudi Arabia if threatened. Moreover, the THAAD purchases by Saudi Arabia will reduce the cost of the system and its interceptors significantly that are in high demand and low density being bought by the United States and its taxpayers for its own use across the combatant commands areas of responsibility.
“Yesterday, we signed historic agreements with the Kingdom that will invest almost $400 billion in our two countries and create many thousands of jobs in America and Saudi Arabia. This landmark agreement includes the announcement of a $110 billion Saudi-funded defense purchase – and we will be sure to help our Saudi friends to get a good deal from our great American defense companies. This agreement will help the Saudi military to take a greater role in security operations. We have also started discussions with many of the countries present today on strengthening partnerships, and forming new ones, to advance security and stability across the Middle East and beyond.” – President Donald Trump at the Arab Islamic American Summit – May 21, 2017
It is a win win for the Middle East, the United States and for peace and security that will better defend Saudi Arabia and the region from Iran. Iran will struggle and be significantly challenged to overcome it- a no win – situation for Iran. They are collectively being overmatched.
