The II Marine Expeditionary Force (MEF) is set to utilize existing integrated ballistic missile defense networks in the Gulf region to provide force protection and counter ongoing regional threats during the upcoming Native Fury exercise.

The exercise aims to showcase the Marine Corps' ability to rapidly offload and integrate maritime prepositioned forces (MPFs) in support of regional security, crisis response and contingency operations.

This year will mark the ninth iteration of Native Fury and the second year Saudi Arabia will serve as one of the host nations.

Drills are also set to be held in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and involve the US Marine Corps, US Navy, US Army and the US Coast Guard's Patrol Forces Southwest Asia (PATFORSWA).

Members of the Bahraini and Jordanian militaries will also participate.

As a part of the exercise, Native Fury 2024 participants will conduct an MPF combat offload in the waters off the coast of Saudi Arabia with support from the logistics-focused US Army Theater Sustainment Command.

High-tech air defenses

Ballistic missile defense is the backbone of Middle Eastern air defense systems, providing all-weather anti-missile and surface-to-air protection.

In partnership with the United States, the UAE and Saudi Arabia both base their air defenses around the land-based Patriot Advanced Capability (PAC-3) and the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) systems.

The PAC-3 is a mobile air defense system, capable of countering threats from both cruise and ballistic missiles as well as hostile aircraft. It is able to simultaneously track multiple targets, operate in all-weather conditions, and destroy high-altitude targets.

Eighteen countries, including Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Israel, Kuwait, Qatar and Bahrain, currently use the PAC-3.

Meanwhile, the THAAD system serves as a second-tier missile defense system designed to intercept short-, medium- and intermediate-range ballistic missiles.

Instead of utilizing a warhead, its interceptors deploy kinetic energy to destroy incoming missiles, making it a potent and safer option to counter nuclear threats.

Naval defenses

Further, the United States' 5th Fleet provides sea-based critical air defense systems to its partners and allies in the Middle East.

The US Navy's Ticonderoga class of missile cruisers and Arleigh Burke destroyers are equipped with the Aegis Combat System, a full-spectrum defensive system.

Aegis consists of advanced command and control and Anti-Air Warfare and Anti-Submarine Warfare systems as well as the all-weather, long-range Tomahawk Weapon System, which can conduct land attacks.

The Aegis system and the ability to link sensor data from multiple sources, fire-control, air and cruise missile defense, ballistic missile defense and interceptor missiles are what give US forces their edge in combat.