What is THAAD?

October 15, 2024

The United States has decided to send the Terminal High-Altitude Area Defence (THAAD) missile system to Israel. This is part of the U.S.’s promise to help strengthen Israel’s defence, especially with the rising tensions with Iran, which have included recent missile attacks on Israel.

What is the THAAD Missile Defence System?

THAAD, or Terminal High-Altitude Area Defence, is an advanced missile defence system designed to intercept and destroy enemy missiles during the last part of their flight. It works by using a technology called “hit-to-kill,” meaning it directly hits a missile in the air to destroy it, rather than using explosives.

A THAAD system typically consists of:

95 soldiers to operate it
Six truck-mounted launchers (each launcher has eight interceptors)
A total of 48 interceptors (missiles that destroy the enemy missiles)
Radar and tactical control equipment to detect and track incoming threats
The system is built by Lockheed Martin, a major U.S. defence contractor.

Capabilities of THAAD

THAAD can defend against different types of ballistic missiles, which are missiles that follow a curved path after being launched:

Short-range missiles (up to 1,000 km away)
Medium-range missiles (1,000 to 3,000 km)
Limited intermediate-range missiles (up to 5,000 km)

Compared to older systems like the Patriot Air and Missile Defence System, THAAD provides wider coverage and greater protection against missile attacks.

Why is THAAD Being Deployed to Israel?

The U.S. is sending THAAD to Israel as a way to help protect the country from missile attacks, especially from Iran. There have been recent missile strikes on Israel, and tensions with Iran remain high. By deploying this system, the U.S. aims to:

Strengthen Israel’s missile defences against any potential attacks
Protect American soldiers and personnel based in Israel

Having THAAD in Israel also acts as a warning to Iran, signalling that the U.S. is serious about defending Israel and maintaining stability in the region.

How Has Iran Responded?

Iran has reacted strongly to this move, seeing it as a threat to its security. Iran already feels pressure due to ongoing tensions with Israel, and the presence of more U.S. military equipment in the region only adds to their concerns. The Iranian government has warned the U.S. not to increase its involvement in West Asia (the Middle East).

The Difference in Military Spending

Israel spends a lot of money on its missile defence systems, including THAAD, which gives it an advantage over Iran. Iran, on the other hand, has a smaller budget for its missile technology. This difference shows that Israel has stronger defences, even though both countries are involved in military tensions.

The deployment of the THAAD system to Israel highlights the U.S.’s strong support for Israel. This action increases Israel’s ability to defend itself and makes the region more complex, as it could heighten tensions between the U.S., Israel, and Iran.

« Previous Post Next Post »