The United States are likely to station its Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) air defence batteries in Israel in the backdrop of tensions with Iran. THAAD possesses the ability to fend off ballistic missiles, which Tehran’s proxies have also launched at Israel in recent months, in mid-air and is among the most effective air defence systems in the world.
The THAAD is a highly advanced defence system, and if decided to deploy in Israel, it will need the deployment of US soldiers as well. The natively designed system is operated by US personnel alone.
Why THAAD?
According to the latest reports, the Biden administration is considering setting up the air defence system to enable its ally to deal with ballistic missile threats from Iran. With Israel vowing to respond to Iran's missile strikes following the killing of Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah, the tension in the area is expected to escalate. Iran has warned that any such aggression from Israel, including the suspected targeting of Tehran's nuclear power plants, would attract retaliation.
Benjamin Netanyahu has reportedly asked the US to provide Israel with the necessary ammunition to prepare for the worst. However, Washington is yet to make a call on the matter.
THAAD and Patriot
When it comes to US air defence, the go-to phrase is 'Patriot.' For the unversed, Patriot (MIM-104 Patriot) is the US Army’s primary air and missile defence system that is deployed across the globe in support of its allies including the Middle East and Ukraine. Patriot are capable of engaging ballistic and cruise missiles and got five variants -- all mobile surface-to-air missile (SAM) in nature.
Although "considered complementary to the Patriot", THAAD can defend more area and intercept targets at ranges of 150-200 kilometers, The Times Of Israel said in a report. The range of the THAAD system is superior to that of the Patriot.
What is THAAD?
The name THAAD comes the way the air defense system operates -- intercepting incoming ballistic missiles during their final phase of flight -- which is called the "terminal phase." It has the ability to intercept targets within (endoatmospheric) and outside (exoatmospheric) the atmosphere. THAAD can fend off short, medium, and intermediate-range ballistic missiles, the CSIS Missile Defense Project website said.
The standout feature of THAAD systems is that they don't carry warheads. Instead, it relies on its kinetic energy of impact to destroy the incoming rockets. THAAD radars are capable of detecting and tracking approaching missiles at ranges of 870 to 3,000 km, CSIS data showed.
The US Army has seven THAAD batteries in its possession. Apart from radar and radio facilities, each system consists of six truck-mounted launchers and 48 interceptors and requires 95 soldiers to operate it.
THAAD incorporates four main components: the interceptor, launch vehicle, radar, and fire control system. Each launcher carries up to eight interceptors and a typical THAAD battery includes 6 launchers, and each launcher takes up to 30 minutes to reload.