SRINAGAR: The United States has deployed two additional Patriot missile batteries to Saudi Arabia and Qatar to protect key oil and gas facilities, according to Axios, which cited two US officials and a regional source.
One battery was deployed to Saudi Arabia to protect an oil facility, while the other was sent to Qatar to defend a natural gas installation, Axios reported. The deployments come amid concerns in Riyadh and Doha that their energy infrastructure could face Iranian retaliation if Washington resumes large-scale military operations against Tehran.
The move follows reported appeals by the Saudi and Qatari leadership to US President Donald Trump in August against a proposed major attack on Iran that could have included strikes on Iranian energy infrastructure. According to Axios, the two countries feared that such action could prompt attacks on their own oil and gas facilities.
The additional air-defence systems are being deployed as the United States maintains and expands its military presence in the Middle East. Axios reported that Washington has sent additional warships, aircraft and troops to the region, including the Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group, which is carrying thousands of US Marines.
The deployments also come amid pressure on US stocks of missile-defence interceptors following extensive use during the conflict with Iran. A July 27 analysis by the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) estimated that US Patriot interceptor inventories had fallen below 1,000, while noting that the resumption of combat operations had reduced stocks further.
Patriot is a ground-based air and missile defence system operated by the United States and allied militaries to protect forces and critical infrastructure. The US Army says the system is designed to counter aircraft, cruise missiles and tactical ballistic missiles.
A Patriot fire unit consists of a multifunction radar, an engagement control station and launchers. The PAC-3 Missile Segment Enhancement interceptor uses hit-to-kill technology, destroying incoming threats through direct impact. Its two-pulse solid rocket motor provides greater range, altitude and manoeuvrability than earlier PAC-3 variants.
Depending on configuration, a Patriot launcher can carry up to 12 PAC-3 MSE interceptors.
