The US will provide Israel with its cutting-edge Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missile defense system as part of its most recent batch of military aid. The Department of Defense declared that the United States will be sending forces to run the system as well. The timing of the deployment and the launch of the system is unknown.
Radar and intercepting devices are both used in the THAAD system, which is a sophisticated missile defense technology. Ballistic missiles of short, medium, and extended ranges can be deflected by the THAAD system. The range of THAAD missiles is between 93 and 124 miles. US aerospace and defense company Lockheed Martin is the producer of the THAAD system.
In their latter phase of flight, missiles within as well as washout the Earth’s atmosphere can be intercepted by the American system. It starts when the separated warhead returns to the atmosphere of Earth and concludes until it explodes.
A Parliamentary Investigative Committee study states that THAAD batteries typically consist of 95 troops. These consist of one radar system, 48 interceptors, six truck-mounted launching operators, and a fire command and interactions unit. The Launchers and intercepting devices might have varying numbers.
THAADs can swiftly ascend to great heights since they are not equipped with an explosive payload. THAAD intercepting devices ignite the missile with kinetic energy, which is the power produced by the weight of the object in movement.
It is unable to repel more compact and less complex weaponry, like drones, which are utilised by organizations like Hamas and the Houthi forces. This is as a result of the drones’ tiny size and lack of high altitude when approaching. The cost of the intercepting system is also a further limitation.
It is estimated that the price of each THAAD battery to be between $1.2 billion and $1.7 billion, considering the number of launchers and interceptors.
THAADs Across the World
Seven THAAD batteries have been installed by the US army across the world, including ones in Guam and South Korea. A statement released by the Pentagon claims that five years ago, the United States conducted a combined air military drill and conducted training exercises with a THAAD battery southern Israel. But following the drill, this battery was returned to the United States.
The United States placed a THAAD battery in the Middle East to protect US forces and assets in the region, the defense secretary statement continued. Without mentioning the nation to which it was set up in, the deployment was carried out following the October 7, 2023, Hamas strikes on Israel.
At the moment, Israel possesses three intercepting systems for air defense. From 2.5 to 43.5 miles away, the Iron Dome may deflect short-range missiles. Between 24.5 and 186 miles, David’s Sling can intercept medium-range missiles. Up to 1,491 miles distant, long-range missiles can be intercepted by the Arrow System.
Collectively, the Iron Dome and THAAD systems may provide protection from greater altitudes. They are able to reduce harm at a greater distance.
Iran performed an unprecedented act of improvisation in their most recent strike. On October 1, Iran launched an assault on Israel, hitting areas and cities with about 200 missiles. Iran fired the hypersonic missiles into three areas, or lanes, so that no interceptor could possibly contain them all.
In an announcement less than two weeks after Iran’s attacks, US Defense Secretary approved the transfer of a THAAD systems to Israel in order to strengthen that nation’s air defenses. The Lloyd Austin went on to say that the move affirms the American unwavering devotion to safeguarding the nation of Israel… from future ballistic missile assaults by Iran.
