Israel will receive a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system operated by US troops, the Pentagon has said.
THAAD will strengthen Israel's existing strong anti-missile defences and is an essential component of the US military's multi-layered air defence systems.
But what exactly is it and why is the US deploying it to Israel?
What is THAAD?
THAAD is a cutting-edge missile defence system that deters short-, medium- and intermediate-range ballistic missiles by combining radar and interceptors.
It is made by US defence and aerospace company Lockheed Martin and its missiles have a range of 90 to 125 miles.
According to the Centre for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation, it can intercept missiles both within and outside Earth's atmosphere during their last phase of flight, which starts when the detached warhead re-enters Earth's atmosphere and concludes when it detonates.
THAAD batteries typically consist of 95 personnel, six truck-mounted launchers, 48 interceptors (eight for each launcher), one radar system, and a fire control and communications component, according to a Congressional Research Service report from April.
THAAD interceptors employ kinetic energy or the energy produced by their mass in motion, to detonate incoming ballistic missiles rather than detonating on impact to destroy them. Interceptors usually require 100 troops to operate.
This isn’t the first time that THAAD has been deployed to another country, the report revealed that seven THAAD batteries have been given to Guam and South Korea.
The US previously deployed a THAAD battery to southern Israel in 2019 “for training and an integrated air defense exercise”, according to a statement published by the US Department of Defense on Sunday October 13.
Why is the US sending a THAAD system to Israel?
US President Joe Biden stated it is intended “to defend Israel”, which is considering taking anticipated punitive action against Iran following Tehran's October 1 missile barrage on Israel.
Major General Patrick Ryder, a spokesman for the Pentagon, explained that the deployment was a part of “the broader adjustments the US military has made in recent months” to help Israel and protect American personnel from assaults by Iran and groups with Iranian support.
Although the US already has a modest military presence in Israel, this fresh deployment of approximately 100 troops indicates the US is continuing its involvement in conflict in the region. The deployment also raises a question about the efficacy of Israel's missile defences.
