WASHINGTON DC, USA — The United States will deploy a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missile defence system to Israel, accompanied by the personnel needed to operate it, the Pentagon announced Sunday, October 13, 2024.
This move, authorised by Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and directed by President Joe Biden, is intended to bolster Israel’s air defences following recent ballistic missile attacks from Iran.
Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder, Pentagon spokesman, described the deployment as part of the U.S.’s commitment to supporting Israel.
“This deployment underscores the United States’ ironclad commitment to the defence of Israel, and to defend Americans in Israel, from any further ballistic missile attacks by Iran,” Ryder said in a statement.
Iran Issues Warning
The announcement comes amid heightened tensions, with Iran warning the U.S. against military involvement in Israel. Abbas Araghchi, Iran’s foreign minister, issued a warning via X, formerly known as Twitter, cautioning Washington to keep its forces out of the region.
The decision to deploy the THAAD system, which is designed to intercept ballistic missiles at high altitudes, carries the risk of escalating the already volatile situation.
The deployment follows Iran’s missile attacks on Israel in April and earlier this month, which have fueled fears of a broader conflict in the Middle East.
Rising Conflict in the Region
Since October 8, Israeli forces and Hezbollah fighters in Lebanon have been engaged in cross-border clashes.
The Lebanese militant group, which is aligned with Hamas in Gaza, began launching rockets into northern Israel in response to ongoing hostilities.
Israel has since escalated its operations, launching a ground invasion into Lebanon.
Tensions between Israel and Iran have been intensifying, with Israel believed to be preparing a military response to Iran’s missile strike on October 1, when 180 missiles were fired into Israeli territory.
Strengthening Israel’s Air Defenses
The THAAD system will complement Israel’s existing air defense capabilities, which include multiple systems designed to intercept threats at varying ranges.
Israel recently retired its U.S.-made Patriot missile systems after years of service, making the THAAD deployment a crucial addition to its defenses.
A typical THAAD battery consists of six truck-mounted launchers, 48 interceptors, radar systems, and radio equipment, operated by 95 soldiers.
While Lt. Col. Nadav Shoshani, an Israeli army spokesman, declined to provide a timeline for the arrival of the system, he expressed gratitude for the U.S.’s continued support.
The U.S. had previously deployed a THAAD battery to Israel for training exercises in 2019. It also stationed additional Patriot battalions in the Middle East following the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel.
Strategic Deployment
With only seven active THAAD batteries globally, the U.S. Army must carefully manage their placement.
Each THAAD unit is capable of intercepting ballistic missile threats at ranges of up to 200 kilometers (124 miles), offering protection both within and beyond the Earth’s atmosphere.
The deployment of the THAAD system reflects ongoing U.S. efforts to reinforce its regional allies and deter further aggression.
President Biden, speaking from MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa after visiting areas affected by Hurricane Milton, confirmed his decision to authorise the deployment “to defend Israel.”
As tensions in the Middle East continue to rise, the arrival of the THAAD system is expected to play a key role in strengthening Israel’s defenses amid ongoing threats from Iran and Hezbollah.
