U.S. Approves $15 Billion Thaad Missile Package for Saudi Arabia
- Congress has 30 days to review sale, part of Trump’s pledge
- Proposal marks second sale abroad of Lockheed-built system
Donald Trump and Salman bin Abdulaziz al-Saud in Riyadh on May 21, 2017.
Photographer: Mandel Ngan/AFP/Getty ImagesThis article is for subscribers only.
The U.S. State Department has approved a potential $15 billion sale of Lockheed Martin Corp.’s Thaad anti-missile interceptors, launchers and radar, part of the package of weaponry that President Donald Trump promised for the kingdom during a visit in May.
Negotiations on contracts can move ahead unless the U.S. Congress acts to block the deal within 30 days. The Saudis would be the second international buyer of Thaad after the United Arab Emirates. Thaad, which uses a hit-to-kill warhead to destroy short and medium-range missiles, gained international attention this year after the U.S. placed a Thaad battery in South Korea over China’s objections.