The United Arab Emirates’ THAAD missile defense program has received a further boost after Lockheed Martin was awarded a $142.6 million sustainment contract to support two deployed batteries. Issued under an existing FMS agreement, the modification raises the total contract value to $876.7 million, extending long-term maintenance and operational support for the UAE’s missile defense systems.
The agreement encompasses logistics and training support, missile and ground system sustainment, engineering services, and hardware and software development, along with surveillance-related tasks. Program execution will be led in the UAE, while technical and engineering support will be delivered from Lockheed Martin sites across several US states. The contract will remain in effect until August 2028, with oversight and coordination conducted in partnership with the US Missile Defense Agency.
THAAD forms a critical component of the UAE’s layered air and missile defense network. The system is designed to counter ballistic missile threats at high altitudes using a kinetic-energy interceptor capable of destroying targets through direct collision. Each interceptor travels at hypersonic speed, reaching Mach 8.2, and is optimized for engagements at ranges of up to 193 kilometers.
The UAE became the first international customer for THAAD, marking a decade of operational service in December 2025. Earlier in the year, Lockheed Martin received a separate $2 billion contract to manufacture additional interceptors, underscoring the system’s continued strategic importance as Abu Dhabi strengthens its missile defense posture amid evolving regional threats.
