An unidentified country has requested the purchase of a new missile defence system currently under development by Lockheed Martin from the US.

According to Reuters, the United Arab Emirates has requested the potential $7bn deal.

US Missile Defence Agency’s Terminal High-Altitude Area Defence (THAAD) programme manager Colonel Bill Lamb says a country has requested the sale and it is currently under review by the pentagon.
THAAD is an easily transportable defensive weapon system to protect against hostile incoming threats such as tactical and theatre ballistic missiles at ranges of 200km and at altitudes up to 150km.

The weapon is expected to be fielded in 2009.