ABU DHABI--Lockheed Martin Corp. Tuesday said Middle East
countries could be the first foreign buyers of the newest Patriot
anti-missile weapon as Persian Gulf countries continue a spending
spree to build an air defense umbrella against enemy ballistic
missiles and aircraft.
The Pentagon is starting to introduce the upgrade to the Patriot
missile defense system that has been used extensively since the
1991 Persian Gulf war. The enhanced missile is designed to hit
targets at greater altitude and range. The improved weapon, called
MSE for missile system enhancement, is due to enter U.S. Army
service this year.
"I think the first MSE [export] sales will be probably be to the
Middle East," said Mike Trotsky, Lockheed Martin vice president for
air and missile defense. Which country in the region will be first
to commit is too early to judge, he told reporters at the
International Defence Exhibition and Conference.
Middle Eastern countries have become increasingly concerned
about ballistic missiles as Iran introduces an increasing number
and more capable versions of such weapons.
A total of 18 countries have asked for information on the new
Patriot missile, with several located also in Asia, among them
Japan, Mr. Trotsky said.
Over the next few years most countries now using the currently
most modern Patriot missile, called the PAC-3, will upgrade to the
enhanced version, he said. Aside from the U.S. and Japan, the
United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Qatar, the Netherlands, Germany, and
Taiwan are buyers of the PAC-3. Talks are also underway with Saudi
Arabia to purchase the system, Mr. Trotsky said.
Lockheed Martin is also seeking more export sales of its
higher-end Thaad missile defense system, designed to shoot down
ballistic missiles also outside the atmosphere. The U.A.E has
bought the system that Qatar said it also plans to field. Mr.
Trotsky said a formal contract from Qatar is still more than a year
away.
Saudi Arabia has also opened talks with the U.S. to buy the
system, Pat Dewar, executive vice president for Lockheed Martin
International said on Saturday.
Write to Robert Wall at robert.wall@wsj.com
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