The THAAD system deal was a key element of the weapons sale proposed by then-US President Donald Trump during his visit to Saudi Arabia on 20 May 2017. This latest development underscores progress in the implementation of the agreement.
The announcement was made during a meeting at Arabian International Co. for Steel Structures (AIC) in Jeddah. Attendees included Tim Cahill, president of missiles and fire control at Lockheed Martin, Nawaf Albawardi, assistant deputy at the General Authority for Military Industries (GAMI), and Wasim Attieh, president of AIC.
Milestone achieved! ✅
Tim Cahill, our Missiles and Fire Control President, joined @GAMI_KSA and #AICSteel to celebrate the first locally produced MRP-T for the #THAAD launcher, a testament to advancing the Kingdom’s defense capability in line with @SaudiVision2030. 🇸🇦 pic.twitter.com/cW3IJHibpq
— Lockheed Martin ME & Africa (@LMMiddleEast) May 11, 2025
This achievement highlights the growing collaboration between AIC and Lockheed Martin, focused on advancing Saudi Arabia’s defence manufacturing capabilities. The locally produced components were created using precision welding and advanced manufacturing techniques, strengthening the Kingdom’s defence industrial base while also contributing to the US supply chain by establishing a second source of production.
Tim Cahill expressed his enthusiasm for the accomplishment, stating, “This is a tremendous milestone for the United States of America and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as our nations work to fulfil the Kingdom’s THAAD procurement.” He emphasised that the programme not only supports Saudi Vision 2030 and enhances regional defence but also generates high-quality jobs in the United States.
Wasim Attieh, president of AIC Steel, praised the cooperation with Lockheed Martin, noting their crucial role in providing training and resources to enable local production. “Lockheed Martin has been an excellent partner in providing the tools and training necessary to prepare and ultimately advance the localized production of such a major component of the THAAD Weapon System,” he stated.
THAAD is an advanced missile defence system capable of intercepting short-, medium-, and intermediate-range ballistic missiles both within and beyond the Earth’s atmosphere. Its combat-proven effectiveness and successful flight tests continue to attract international interest.
