Missile Defense Agency wish list includes more interceptors, THAAD battery

By Connor O’Brien
·1 min read

The Missile Defense Agency has outlined more than $1.1 billion in programs that didn't make it into last week's defense budget request, including more missile interceptors and a new missile defense battery.

The agency's full unfunded requirements list, obtained by POLITICO, gives lawmakers a blueprint should they choose to boost funding for missile defense programs.

The wish list includes $231 million to purchase 10 more SM-3 Block IIA missile interceptors. The agency said the additional purchase would help it reach the goal of 24 interceptors per year, which it called "the maximum sustainable production rate per year without further investment." The interceptors are ranked as MDA's top unfunded priority.

The second-place priority is $319 million for an eighth Terminal High Altitude Area Defense battery. MDA said the procurement is "synchronized" with a sale to Saudi Arabia that includes a missile defense radar.

Another $224 million would go toward speeding up the development of a regional glide phase weapon system to defend against hypersonic missiles.

The Trump administration's fiscal 2021 budget proposes $9.2 billion for MDA for the coming year.

On Thursday, POLITICO also obtained the Army's wish list, which requests money for more vehicles and helicopters.