Lockheed Martin has secured a substantial contract valued at $142.6 million aimed at extending sustainment services for two Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) Batteries located in the United Arab Emirates. This recent agreement is part of an ongoing foreign military sale case, bringing the total project value to an impressive $876.7 million.
The contract encompasses a wide array of services, including logistics support, training, missile and ground works, hardware and software development, as well as engineering and surveillance. This comprehensive approach highlights Lockheed’s commitment to fully supporting the UAE’s air defense capabilities.
Operations related to this contract will primarily take place within the UAE, while supporting tasks will be distributed across several states in the United States, including California, Texas, Arkansas, and Alabama. This cooperative approach underscores the integration of both local and international resources in bolstering the UAE’s defense infrastructure.
Scheduled to run until August 2028, the contract aligns with strategic milestones coordinated with the US Missile Defense Agency. This long-term partnership signifies the United States’ dedication to strengthening the defense capabilities of its allies, particularly in the Middle East.
The THAAD system itself is a highly advanced mobile air defense solution designed to intercept and neutralize a variety of ballistic missiles during their terminal phase, including short, medium, and intermediate-range threats. Developed in the late 1990s, the system utilizes a single-stage kinetic warhead, setting it apart from more traditional explosive methods.
Each interceptor measures 20 feet (6 meters) in length, weighs approximately 2,000 pounds (907 kilograms), and boasts a range of up to 120 miles (193 kilometers). It can operate at a trajectory of about 93 miles (150 kilometers) and achieve remarkable speeds of Mach 8.2, equivalent to 6,292 miles (10,125 kilometers) per hour.
In December 2025, Abu Dhabi celebrated the 10th anniversary of its adoption of the THAAD system, marking a pivotal moment in its defense strategy and noting the weapon’s status as the first US export sale to an international partner. Just five months prior, the Missile Defense Agency had awarded Lockheed a significant contract worth $2 billion for the production of interceptors specifically for the UAE’s THAAD capabilities.
This latest development demonstrates Lockheed Martin’s ongoing role in enhancing the UAE’s defense mechanism, further solidifying the partnership between the two nations in ensuring regional security.
