In its latest round of military assistance to Israel, the United States will deploy the advanced Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missile defense system. The Pentagon announced on Sunday that U.S. soldiers will also be sent to operate the system. This move is part of ongoing efforts to enhance Israel’s defense capabilities amid regional tensions.
What is THAAD?
THAAD is an advanced missile defense system designed to intercept short-, medium-, and intermediate-range ballistic missiles. Manufactured by Lockheed Martin, THAAD’s interceptors have a range of 150 to 200 km (93 to 124 miles) and can engage targets both inside and outside Earth’s atmosphere during their final flight phase. The system relies on kinetic energy rather than explosive warheads to neutralize incoming missiles, allowing it to reach high altitudes quickly. A typical THAAD battery consists of 95 soldiers, six truck-mounted launchers, and 48 interceptors, among other components. However, THAAD is not designed to intercept smaller threats like drones.