This is part of the wider $60bn US deal to sell weapons to the kingdom
US-based defence firm Raytheon plans to deliver $4bn worth of arms to Saudi Arabia as part of a wider $60bn with US suppliers.
In October, the Obama administration notified Congress that it plans to sell $60bn worth of weaponry to Saudi Arabia in what is one of the largest ever single US arms deals (MEED 21:10:10).
Raytheon now expects to sign a contract with Saudi Arabia to upgrade its Patriot system and is also expected to sign a number of other deals in the kingdom.
The Patriot system is the world’s most advanced air and missile defence system and was used in Desert Storm and Operation Iraqi Freedom. It is used to defeat advanced threats, including aircraft, tactical ballistic missiles and cruise missiles.
Kuwait is interested in upgrading its own Patriot system, while Qatar is said to be looking at the Patriot system. The UAE bought a missile-defence system for about $3.3 billion at the end of 2008.
The six Gulf states are currently embarking on a defence spending spree that could be worth up to $82bn as Western tensions with Iran escalate.
You might also like...
Saudi Arabia plans Mecca airport project
02 April 2026
Adnoc’s XRG and OMV establish chemicals giant
02 April 2026
A MEED Subscription...
Subscribe or upgrade your current MEED.com package to support your strategic planning with the MENA region’s best source of business information. Proceed to our online shop below to find out more about the features in each package.
Take advantage of our introductory offers below for new subscribers and purchase your access today! If you are an existing client, please reach out to your account manager.
