The United States has reinforced its missile defense partnership with the United Arab Emirates through a $142.6 million contract modification awarded to Lockheed Martin for continued THAAD system sustainment. Issued under the Foreign Military Sales framework, the contract ensures uninterrupted operational support for the UAE’s two deployed THAAD batteries amid persistent regional missile threats. Lockheed Martin will deliver a comprehensive sustainment package, including training, lifecycle maintenance, system upgrades, and on-site technical support, drawing on its exclusive role as the system’s prime contractor. THAAD’s hit-to-kill interceptors provide high-altitude defense against ballistic missiles, complementing lower-tier systems such as Patriot. U.S. defense officials view the contract as both a practical readiness measure and a strategic signal of enduring security cooperation. As missile proliferation continues across the Middle East, the sustainment of advanced systems like THAAD remains central to allied deterrence and integrated air defense planning.
