Washington has approved a potential $9.0 billion Foreign Military Sale to Saudi Arabia to bolster the Kingdom’s Patriot air and missile defence forces with additional PAC-3 Missile Segment Enhancement interceptors. The move reflects continued U.S. efforts to strengthen Gulf defences against persistent missile and drone threats in an increasingly volatile regional security environment.
The U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency, acting on behalf of the Department of Defense, announced that Congress has been formally notified of the proposed sale. The package, estimated at $9.0 billion, authorises a substantial increase in Saudi Arabia’s Patriot interceptor inventory, focused on the PAC-3 MSE, and marks the start of the mandatory congressional review period for major arms exports.
If finalised, the sale would arms exports.
If finalised, the sale would provide Saudi Arabia with 730 PAC-3 MSE missiles, a volume aligned with the Kingdom’s extensive Patriot launcher fleet. The Military Balance 2025 lists Saudi Arabia as operating 108 M902 Patriot PAC-3 launchers, making it one of the largest Patriot operators globally. These systems are deployed in multiple fire units responsible for defending critical energy facilities, strategic military bases, and major cities, particularly in the eastern oil-producing areas and along the southern approaches exposed to missile and UAV attacks.
Saudi Patriot batteries have seen sustained operational use over the past decade, intercepting ballistic missiles and long-range aerial threats during repeated periods of regional tension. U.S. defence officials note that the size of the PAC-3 MSE request reflects both the replenishment of missiles consumed in combat and the requirement to maintain continuous coverage across a large number of launchers. Deep interceptor stocks are essential to counter saturation attacks and to preserve layered defence over high-value targets.
The PAC-3 Missile Segment Enhancement interceptor offers a significant capability upgrade compared with earlier Patriot missiles. Departing from the blast-fragmentation approach of PAC-2, the PAC-3 MSE employs a hit-to-kill kinetic interceptor that neutralises targets through direct collision. Its enlarged dual-pulse solid rocket motor improves range, altitude, and manoeuvrability, enhancing effectiveness against short- and medium-range ballistic missiles, highly manoeuvrable re-entry vehicles, cruise missiles, and other advanced aerial threats.
Upgraded guidance, control, and seeker technologies enable the PAC-3 MSE to function in electronically contested environments and to integrate fully into advanced integrated air and missile defence networks. In Saudi service, the interceptor is paired with modernised Patriot radars and command-and-control systems, supporting earlier engagement timelines, multiple simultaneous intercepts, and a larger defended area per launcher—an important consideration for a country with vast territory and dispersed critical infrastructure.
