US to sell $15bn missile defence to Saudi Arabia

The US government has approved the sale to Saudi Arabia of its advanced Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense (Thaad) missile defence system.The system can destroy incoming missiles at altitudes beyond the Earth's atmosphere.

It would boost Saudi and Gulf security against Iranian and other regional threats. Thaad systems are being deployed in South Korea to protect against a possible missile attack from North Korea.

Thaad shoots down short and medium-range ballistic missiles in the terminal phase of their flight.

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