The record What this system is, where it comes from, who operates it and which of Vigil’s modules it is relevant to — with the evidence each of those rests on.
Record
Conflict relevance
This is the catalogue's single record for this system. It is relevant to the module below; each module's Force Atlas shows how it is used there.
Operators
The United States in the Gulf: Army batteries deployed to the theatre repeatedly since 2019, including to Israel in 2024. · United Arab Emirates: The first foreign operator, and the first combat use anywhere, against Houthi missiles in January 2022. · Saudi Arabia: Delivered from 2024 under a 2017 agreement.
Battlefield role
Terminal defence of a wide area against medium-range ballistic missiles; the layer between Patriot's point defence and nothing.
Strengths
Demonstrated intercepts of real ballistic missiles in the Emirates and in Israel, a large defended footprint, and integration with American and host radars.
Limitations
Very few batteries and very expensive interceptors against an opponent whose method is volume; interceptor stocks are the constraint every assessment of the 2026 war names. Sites, batteries and stocks are not recorded.
Campaign relevance
Derived: a participant organisation in these campaigns carries a typed equipment association with this system. That is not the same as documented use of the system in the campaign itself.
- The Saudi–Houthi Red Sea front, 2026 round Since 13 July 2026
via Royal Saudi Air Defense Forces (Documented)
Documented conflict use
The Emirati intercepts of January 2022; the American battery deployed to Israel in October 2024; engagements in the 2025 and 2026 wars reported by the parties.
Branch & service operators
- Royal Saudi Air Defense Forces Documented
- UAE Air Force and Air Defence Documented
- US Army Central Documented
Assessed as of — 2026-09 Last reviewed — 2026-09-09