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US THAAD system to come to Israel in case of attack on Iran – report

Posted on by Vanessa
US THAAD system to come to Israel in case of attack on Iran – report

According to reports, American soldiers will send the THAAD (Terminal High Altitude Area Defense) air defense system to Israel to prepare for intercepting ballistic missiles. N12 reported on Saturday evening.

According to the report, such a decision would lead the US to station American soldiers in Israel to operate the THAAD system.

The decision to deploy the US air defense system THAAD on Israeli soil would come in preparation for an expected Iranian response to Israel's expected retaliatory strike against Iran N12 Report noted.

After the Hamas attacks on Israel on October 7, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin also ordered the deployment of the THAAD system in Israel, according to the Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD).

At that time, Austin also called for the deployment of additional Patriot battalions throughout the Middle East to improve force protection for U.S. forces, the FDD added.

A U.S. Army Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) weapons system is seen Oct. 26, 2017, at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam. (Source: US Army/Capt. Adan Cazarez/Handout via REUTERS)

What is the THAAD system?

Considered an intermediate level of U.S. missile defense, the THAAD system is a mobile system that “fires a hit-to-kill interceptor capable of interfering with ballistic missiles inside and outside the atmosphere,” the FDD noted .

In 2019, the U.S. sent additional capabilities to Saudi Arabia, including the THAAD system, following an Iranian attack on Saudi oil facilities, the U.S. Department of Defense said in a statement at the time.

In the statement, former Defense Minister Dr. Mark T. Esper said the decision was the “latest show of support” and that about 3,000 U.S. soldiers were involved. He also added that the ongoing Iranian provocations at the time gave rise to even greater support efforts in the region.

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The United Arab Emirates sought to acquire the THAAD system as early as 2012, when it called for the possible sale of the missiles for an estimated cost of $1.135 billion, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency said.

The planned sale is intended to “strengthen the UAE's ability to counter current and future threats in the region and reduce dependence on US forces,” the Defense Security Cooperation Agency added.

Seth J. Frantzman contributed to this report.

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