Saudi Arabia Uses U.S.-Made Patriot Missile Systems To Protect Masjid al Haram and Nabawi

Since 2015, Saudi Arabia has faced persistent missile and drone attacks from rebels in Yemen.

To defend against these dangers, Saudi Arabia has set up American-built Patriot missile defense systems made by Raytheon as a main part of protecting its airspace.

These Patriot batteries operate year-round, providing continuous protection not only during the Hajj pilgrimage but throughout the year to safeguard Mecca, Medina, Riyadh, and other strategic locations from ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and aerial threats.

The Patriot system includes advanced radar and interceptor missiles capable of tracking and destroying multiple targets simultaneously.

Saudi Arabia employs a mix of PAC-2 GEM-T missiles, which use blast-fragmentation warheads effective against aircraft and cruise missiles, and PAC-3 missiles that utilize hit-to-kill technology for highly accurate interception of ballistic missiles at altitudes up to 40 kilometers.

This layered missile defense capability has been proven effective in numerous interceptions, including the notable 2016 interception of a Houthi-launched missile aimed near Mecca.

THAAD Integration Advances

In addition to Patriots, Saudi Arabia is integrating the U.S.-made Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system to enhance its long-range missile interception capabilities.

THAAD is designed to intercept short, medium, and intermediate-range ballistic missiles at higher altitudes and greater distances than Patriot systems.

While THAAD deployment to Mecca and Medina is still underway and not yet operational as of mid-2025, its future integration will significantly strengthen the Kingdom’s multi-tiered air defense architecture, providing a broader and deeper shield against evolving missile threats.

Effectiveness in Protecting Mecca During Hajj Pilgrimage

Although the Patriot missile batteries receive heightened visibility during the Hajj pilgrimage due to the large influx of millions of Muslim pilgrims, their deployment is continuous and not limited to religious events.

The Saudi Ministry of Defense regularly positions these systems strategically to maintain a constant defensive posture. The Patriot system’s radar can track up to 100 targets simultaneously within a range of approximately 100 kilometers, enabling rapid response to multiple incoming threats.

The system’s mobility allows repositioning as needed to adapt to changing threat environments.

$142 Billion U.S.-Saudi Defense Deal

The Kingdom’s missile defense modernization is supported by the historic $142 billion U.S.-Saudi defense agreement finalized in May 2025.

This deal includes the procurement of additional Patriot and THAAD missile batteries, advanced training programs for Saudi forces, and enhanced interoperability between U.S. and Saudi military systems.

The agreement underscores Saudi Arabia’s commitment to maintaining cutting-edge defense capabilities to counter increasingly sophisticated regional threats.

Saudi Arabia’s continuous deployment of Patriot missile systems, coupled with the upcoming integration of THAAD, reflects a strategic imperative to protect both its sacred Islamic sites—Masjid al-Haram in Mecca and Masjid an-Nabawi in Medina—and critical civilian and military infrastructure.

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