Lockheed Martin and AIC Steel Commemorate a Major THAAD Launcher Production Achievement
Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) Missiles and Fire Control President Tim Cahill, alongside General Authority for Military Industries (GAMI) Assistant Deputy Nawaf Albawardi, and President Wasim Attieh of Arabian International Company for Steel Structures (AIC) recently convened at AIC’s Jeddah facility to assess the combined advancement towards AIC’s initiatives in producing domestically-sourced components for the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) Weapon System. During the visit, the group acknowledged the inaugural completion of locally-manufactured components for the THAAD launcher, emphasizing the persistent collaboration and milestones achieved in regional manufacturing.
This accomplishment highlights AIC’s proficiency in precision welding and the successful integration of modern manufacturing methodologies. It holds particular importance as it illustrates how the two organizations effectively collaborated to enhance manufacturing expertise, fortifying the nation’s defense industrial sector while establishing an alternate source and increasing resilience for the U.S. supply chain.
“This is an extraordinary milestone for both the United States of America and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as our nations strive to fulfill the Kingdom’s THAAD acquisition,” stated Tim Cahill, president of Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control. “Through this program, we are not only endorsing Saudi Vision 2030 and enhancing regional defense capabilities but also creating high-quality manufacturing employment opportunities in the United States, thereby reinforcing the American defense industrial landscape. This highlights the significance of our collaboration with AIC Steel and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.”
“Lockheed Martin has proven to be an exceptional collaborator in supplying the resources and training required to facilitate and ultimately advance the localized production of this significant component of the THAAD Weapon System,” remarked AIC Steel President Wasim Attieh. “I eagerly anticipate our continued partnership to secure a safer future for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. I would also like to express my gratitude to the General Authority for Military Industries (GAMI) for their unwavering support throughout all phases of this project.”
THAAD is a combat-ready, highly sophisticated hit-to-kill missile defense system engineered to intercept and obliterate incoming ballistic missiles both within and beyond the earth’s atmosphere. THAAD delivers a vital layer of defense against short-, medium-, and intermediate-range ballistic missiles. The system’s flight test success rate and proven combat reliability, coupled with its immediate operational capability, continue to stimulate global interest within the air defense sector.
