The Biden administration’s decision to deploy the THAAD air defense system in Israel indicates the likelihood of a large-scale Israeli military operation against Iran, according to the Washington Post.
The move is believed to arise from expectations that such an attack would inevitably lead to Iranian missile strikes in response.
Let us remember that the THAAD system is capable of intercepting ballistic missiles outside the atmosphere, which makes it one of the key elements of air defense.
An important feature is its integration with the Israeli Hetz system, achieved through regular joint US-Israeli air defense exercises called Juniper Cobra. During a missile attack, both systems will be able to distribute targets effectively, choosing which one will intercept a specific threat.
Previously, in 2012, only one THAAD radar was deployed in Israel, but a full battery with interceptors was not used. A unique feature of THAAD is its hit-and-kill method, in which the missiles destroy targets using kinetic energy, reaching speeds of up to Mach 8. This minimizes destruction in populated areas since no explosives are used.
The system has a range of about 200 kilometers and can intercept targets at an altitude of up to 150 kilometers. The battery includes six mobile launchers with eight missiles each, as well as command posts. Tests have demonstrated the high efficiency of the complex with a 100% success rate.
In 2022, the United Arab Emirates successfully used THAAD to intercept a ballistic missile during a Houthi attack. However, the system’s powerful radars have caused concern between China and Russia because they can track objects at significant distances, leading to diplomatic disputes.
Previously, Kursor wrote that experts assessed how the American THAAD air defense will help Israel.
