The United States don announce plans to deploy the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missile defense system to Israel, as tensions dey rise between Israel and Iran. This decision follow after Iran launch nearly 200 missiles on Israel on October 1, and recent drone attacks by Iran-backed Hezbollah group wey kill several Israeli soldiers.
The THAAD system, wey be high-altitude air defense technology, dey designed to intercept ballistic missiles both within and outside the Earth’s atmosphere. It go complement Israel’s existing air defense systems, including the long-range Arrow, medium-range David’s Sling, and short-range Iron Dome. These systems don struggle to intercept certain types of missiles during recent Iranian retaliatory attacks.
The THAAD battery, wey include interceptors, launchers, radar, a fire control unit, and support equipment, go be operated by up to 100 American personnel. The system use kinetic hit-to-kill technology to destroy targets without explosive warheads, and it can detect targets at long range using its AN/TPY-2 radar.
This deployment dey come at a time when the US dey face dilemma on how to balance military support for Israel and Ukraine, as both conflicts dey intensify. The financial demands of supporting both countries dey become substantial, with reports indicating that Israel dey experience deficit of interceptor missiles.
The Pentagon confirm say the THAAD system no go be deployed to Ukraine or other European countries to shield against Russian aggression, citing different capabilities and different wars in different regions. This situation raise concerns about whether US efforts to strengthen Israel’s defense against Tehran and its affiliated groups might detract from its support for Ukraine.
The deployment of THAAD to Israel also add to the already strained US army air defense forces and potential delays in modernizing their missile defense systems. US Army leaders say the air defense community dey under high operational tempo and need to be disciplined in managing resources.
