What is THAAD, the advanced US missile defense battery being sent to Israel?

The United States has deployed one of its most advanced missile defense systems, the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD), to Israel along with 100 US troops. The move came in response to the recent spate of Iranian missile attacks on Israel in retaliation for the assassinations of key Iranian and Hezbollah leaders.

What is THAAD?

The THAAD is a state-of-the-art missile defense system designed to counter short-, medium- and intermediate-range ballistic missile threats. It is the only US system capable of intercepting targets inside and outside the atmosphere. THAAD is continually being improved to increase its effectiveness against evolving threats.

Why THAAD?

The Joe Biden administration came to Israel’s aid to protect the country from ballistic missile attacks from Iran or its proxies. As Israel prepares to respond to Iran, particularly after the death of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, the deployment of THAAD strengthens Israel’s defenses.

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Iranian authorities, meanwhile, warned that any Israeli aggression, including possible attacks on Tehran’s nuclear facilities, would provoke a forceful response. Faced with these escalating threats, Israel has called on the US for support for weapons and ammunition that it asked for in last year’s war on Gaza, which killed nearly 45,000 people and displaced the entire population.

More recently, attacks on Lebanon left nearly 2,500 people dead and 10,000 others injured.

How does THAAD work?

THAAD is designed to intercept incoming ballistic missiles during the “final phase” of their flight – the last phase before impact. This system can attack missiles both inside and outside the atmosphere (endoatmospheric and exoatmospheric). THAAD protects against short-, medium- and intermediate-range ballistic missiles, making it highly adaptable to different types of missile threats.

A unique feature of the system is that it does not carry explosive warheads. Instead, it destroys targets using kinetic energy, meaning it hits incoming missiles with force rather than detonating a warhead.

Components of THAAD

THAAD consists of four main elements:

• Interceptor: Destroys incoming missiles with impact force.
• Launch vehicle: Mobile trucks that transport and launch the interceptors.
• Radar: Tracks and detects threats from 870 to 3,000 km away.
• Fire Control System: Coordinates the firing and targeting of interceptors.

A standard THAAD battery includes six truck-mounted launchers, each carrying up to eight interceptors, as well as radar and radio equipment. Recharging each launcher takes about 30 minutes and a full battery requires 95 U.S. soldiers.

US role in THAAD implementation

One of the crucial aspects of THAAD is that it is operated exclusively by U.S. personnel. An operation in Israel would require the presence of US troops on Israeli soil. The U.S. Army currently has seven THAAD batteries deployed in various global conflict areas as part of its defense strategy.

The decision to send THAAD to Israel, made just weeks before the U.S. presidential election, marks the first major U.S. military operation in Israel since the country began its bombardment of Gaza.