US prepares THAAD missile defense system for Israel (High Altitude Terminal Area Defense or Terminal High Altitude Area Defense) to help intercept possible ballistic missile threats from Iran, amid escalating tensions in the region, following Iran’s 180-missile attack on Israel in retaliation for operation against the terrorist leaders of Hezbollah, Hasan Nasrallah and Hamas, Ismaïl Haniyeh. Meanwhile, Israel has moved its troops from the southern Gaza Strip to northern Israel, bordering southern Lebanon, where Hezbollah, a terrorist group founded by Iran in 1982, is based. after Defense Minister Yoav Gallant’s visit to Washington this weekin which he asked the Pentagon to increase its support by sending more troops and an air defense system.
Washington has held negotiations with Jerusalem since the attack on Tehran. US President Joe Biden indicated to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that he doesn’t even want to attack Iranian nuclear facilities or oil platforms in his response, especially just days before the US presidential elections.
America’s allies in the Gulf, including Qatar, Bahrain And United Arab Emiratesassured Iran and Washington that they would not allow Israel to use their airspace for attacks against Iran.
What is the THAAD defense system?
The THAAD anti-missile defense system (High Altitude Terminal Area Defense or Terminal High Altitude Area Defense) is very effective, that the United States sent to Israel for the first time in 2019. It is ready for combat use against short-, medium-, and medium-range ballistic missile threats.
According to various Israeli media, the United States will send this anti-missile system in the coming days. Meanwhile, Washington has refused to confirm this decision. Instead, a US Air Force C-5 Galaxy strategic transport aircraft from Portsmouth arrived at Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan this Saturday.
THAAD is the only U.S. system designed to intercept targets outside and inside the atmosphere.. THAAD was initially planned to be deployed in 2012, but the initial deployment took place in May 2008. THAAD has been deployed in the United Arab Emirates, Israel, Romania and South Korea.
According to the Department of Defense, THAAD is a key element of U.S. ballistic missile defense (BMD). THAAD uses interceptor missiles, equipped with technology strike to killto destroy threatening missiles. THAAD is capable of attacking targets at ranges of 150 to 200 kilometers (km). THAAD defends a larger area than the Patriot air and missile defense system. It complements the Patriot, the Navy’s AEGIS missile defense system and medium-range ground defense system.
Supported by a highly trained, globally deployed workforce, the THAAD and PAC-3 are combat-proven, ready and designed to adapt to tomorrow’s threats. #SMDSymposium pic.twitter.com/MZ0Bvid4gh
-Lockheed Martin (@LockheedMartin) August 9, 2023
A THAAD battery is composed of 95 soldiers, six onboard launchers, 48 interceptors (eight per launcher), an Army and Navy transportable surveillance radar and a radar control mode 2 (AN/ TPY-2) and tactical fire control/communication. Component.
THAAD provides rapid deployment capability against short-range (up to 1,000 kilometers), medium-range (1,000 to 3,000 kilometers), and limited intermediate-range (3,000 to 3,000 kilometers) missiles. THAAD was developed by Lockheed Martin Corporation, based in Bethesda, Maryland.
In March 2022, the THAAD weapon system successfully demonstrated integration with the PAC-3 Missile Segment Enhancement (MSE) system, providing the warfighter with an expanded battlespace and greater flexibility.
THAAD SYSTEM
- The THAAD ballistic missile defense system consists of five
main components: - Missiles.
- Launchers.
- Radar (designated AN/TPY-2 terminal mode.
- THAAD fire control and communications.
- Exclusive THAAD support team.
- THAAD can accept target signals for acquisition from AEGIS BMD, satellites and other external theater sensors and command and control systems.
- The THAAD is intended to complement the Patriot system and the higher level Aegis BMD system.
