In response to recent missile attacks by Iran, the United States has deployed a Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) battery to Israel, bolstering the nation’s air defenses.
U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin confirmed the deployment at the direction of President Joe Biden, underscoring the United States’ commitment to Israel’s security.
The THAAD battery, which includes U.S. military personnel, will augment Israel’s existing integrated air defense system following unprecedented missile strikes by Iran on April 13 and again on October 1. These attacks mark a significant escalation, and the deployment aims to protect not only Israel but also U.S. citizens and interests in the region from further missile threats.
The deployment of THAAD is not the first of its kind. In 2019, a THAAD battery was temporarily stationed in Israel for training and air defense integration exercises.
The system has a perfect flight test intercept record, boasting a 100% success rate. In 2022, it successfully demonstrated interoperability with the Patriot PAC-3 Missile Segment Enhancement (MSE), further enhancing its combat-proven reputation.
The THAAD system, known for its ability to intercept short-, medium-, and intermediate-range ballistic missiles, will provide critical defense capabilities to Israel, supplementing the country’s already robust missile defense network, which includes the Iron Dome, David’s Sling, and the Arrow systems.