U.S. State Department has approved a possible Foreign Military Sale of Patriot Air Defense System with PAC-3 enhancement to Saudi Arabia.
The deal if finalized, along with associated equipment, parts, training and logistical support is estimated to cost $1.750 billion.
The Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified U.S. Congress of this possible sale on September 30. Lawmakers have 30 days to block the deal, which is usually rare.
Saudi has requested a sale of 202 Patriot Advanced Capability (PAC) -3 Missiles with containers, and 1 Guidance Enhanced Missile (GEM) Flight Test Target/Patriot as a Target.
DSCA says the proposed sale will help replenish Saudi’s current Patriot missiles which are becoming obsolete and difficult to sustain due to age and the limited availability of repair parts.
The PAC-3 missile is a highly agile hit to kill interceptor that destroys incoming targets through the kinetic energy released upon direct impact. It is a mature terminal air defense missile that can defeat tactical ballistic missiles (TBMs), cruise missiles and aircraft.
The PAC-3 Missile uses a solid propellant rocket motor, aerodynamic controls, attitude control motors (ACMs) and inertial guidance to navigate.
The 180 ACMs, which are small, short duration solid propellant rocket motors located in the missile forebody, fire explosively to fine align the trajectory of missile for a successful impact.
A significant feature of PAC-3 missile is the K a band active radar seeker, that allows the missile to drop its uplink to the system and acquire its target itself in the terminal phase of its intercept, replacing the traditional proximity-fused warhead.
Despite its increased ballistic missile defense capabilities, the PAC-3 missile is a less effective against aircraft. It is slower, has a shorter range, and has a smaller explosive warhead compared to older Patriot missiles.
Also, due to miniaturization, a PAC-3 Patriot launcher consists 16 PAC-3 missile load-out, compared with four of the legacy Patriot PAC-2 missiles.
