The Pentagon confirmed it is deploying a high-altitude anti-missile system operated by U.S. troops to Israel. Top officials said the Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense (Thaad) battery will bolster Israeli air defences after Iran’s missile attack on the country early this month.
President Joe Biden said it is to “defend Israel,” which is yet to retaliate against an Iranian strike that included over 180 ballistic missiles launched at Israel on 1 October.
The move has become the one most in the center of attention because it involves placing American boots on the ground in Israel.
Some 100 of these were deployed recently. Already several hundred US forces are in the country, but this new deployment is important because it heralds further US entanglement in the burgeoning regional war. The missile boat is also being combed over for leads on what it might say about the effectiveness of Israel’s missile defense as the crisis continues to gain momentum. Israel still did not make its move in retaliation to the Iranian attack, which will be “lethal, precise and above all, surprising”, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said.
Tehran claimed it fired on Israel because it assassinated Hassan Nasrallah, the leader of Iranian-backed Hezbollah, in Beirut. It’s still unclear whether the Thaad deployment is part of US contingency planning to bridge gaps identified in Israel’s aerial defences, or whether it points to growing concerns in Washington of a more forceful Israeli strike on Iran.
Under his tenure, President Biden was against any form of attack on Iranian nuclear facilities and its oil or energy infrastructure, as it would probably trigger a spiraling conflict and damage the global economy.
Whatever the background to the decision, it portends a further necessity for Israel to draw on US defense aid in the widening war in the Middle East. Ballistic missiles, such as the Fattah-1which Iran used last week, shoot upwards into space, where they make a sharp turn and head back to their target. One of the advantages they present to military users is that they travel at an enormously higher speed than cruise missiles or drones.
As the manufacturer Lockheed Martin described it being very effective on ballistic missiles and is the biggest US arms maker. Raytheon another US weapons firm builds its advanced radar.
Raytheon, another US weapons firm, builds its advanced radar. The system counts six truck-mounted launchers, with eight interceptors on each launcher. It costs about $1bn (£766m) a battery and requires a crew of about 100 to operate it.
The so-called Thaad is much in demand – including, apparently, by Ukraine to fend off Russian missile attacks. Saudi Arabia has taken orders for it, and reportedly wanted more as part of an American weapons bonanza in return for officially recognising Israel – a so-called “normalization” deal that was mostly derailed after the 7 October attack by Hamas.
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What Is the THAAD System?
Lockheed Martin is responsible for developing the THAAD. It is regarded as one of the world’s premier missile defense systems, capable of intercepting ballistic missiles during their terminal phase of flight, when ballistic missiles are almost at the target. What makes it unique is that it uses the “hit-to-kill” technology, a concept in which the incoming missile is destroyed by colliding head-on with the system rather than using an explosive to neutralize high-speed, long-range threats.
It can intercept ballistic missiles both in and outside the Earth’s atmosphere, giving Israel a layer of defense it sorely needs against threats of longer ranges that other systems, such as the Iron Dome and David’s Sling, are less likely to match. Where Israel’s current defense systems do well against short- and medium-range attacks – rockets that are fired from Gaza, for example – THAAD is meant to counter attacks made at a much broader range.
Why is the United States now giving THAAD to Israel?
The regional tensions had markedly escalated when this decision was taken for the provision of the THAAD system to Israel. Iran’s increasing influence and development of ballistic missile capabilities threatened both Israel and American interests in the Middle East. The increase in missile arsenals by Iranian-backed groups, such as Hezbollah, has been massive; intelligence reports begin to point toward steady improvements in accuracy and range with those missiles.
This calls for an increasing demand of the Israeli defense structure to improve missile defense architecture against possible large attacks. Though Israel has well-functioning missile defenses, such as the Iron Dome, the systems are not designed to deal with the more sophisticated ballistic missiles that countries like Iran would plan to use.
The United States supplying the THAAD system to Israel further affirms its commitment to its security, while, at the same time, it serves to counter Iranian influence in the region. US officials insist that any such deployment would only be a defensive operation to preserve a key ally from external threats.
Pentagon spokeswoman said: “We are working closely with Israel to ensure they have the capabilities to defend against any and all threats.” THAAD will strengthen Israel’s ability to counter long-range missile threats, and it sends a clear message that the U.S. is fully committed to the security of the region.
Complementing Israel’s Existing Defense Systems
This calls for a multi-layered approach in missile defense strategies, balancing the dangers of various distances and capabilities. Of all the mentioned systems, Iron Dome had the most spectacular intercepts of short-range rockets, particularly from Gaza. David’s Sling covers the medium range, and Arrow, the long range, with ballistic missiles.
THAAD does add another vital layer of protection against threats that the Israeli current systems are not good at intercepting. This is because THAAD has the capability to engage the target at high altitudes and long ranges. It will give Israel additional time or a wider defensive range to intercept missiles that could have otherwise proven too difficult to counter.
According to military analysts, such a system would be quite effective in protecting Israel from any kind of missile barrages launched from foes like Iran, which is farther-reaching. Israel has been worried for long about the missile program of Iran as it has tested missiles that reach Israeli territory. Although Israel’s Arrow system could target some of these long-range threats, THAAD could provide an additional layer of security in case of simultaneous attacks.
Regional Implications and Strategic Benefits
The deployment of THAAD to Israel will also have significant geopolitical implications. Some analysts argue that it might effectively serve as a deterrent against further aggression from Iran or its proxies for such systems prove that Israel is prepared to defend itself with state-of-the-art technology.
But this would also trigger a response from neighboring countries, especially those aligned with Iran. Such advanced system in the arsenal of defense of Israel could start an arms race in the region since other nations would want to boost their military capabilities to offset the advance given by Israel.
Strategically, the placement of the THAAD in the region is a US investment in regional stability. Washington hopes to reduce the likelihood of conflict by providing Israel with the tools it needs for protection and reinforcing its influence in the Middle East.
A Symbol of US-Israel Cooperation
In addition, the provision of THAAD to Israel is also a symbolic gesture of the closeness between the U.S. and Israel. The U.S. has been Israel’s largest military ally for decades, providing billions of dollars’ worth of defense aid and closely collaborating with the Israeli forces in joint defense projects. THAAD is but another example of these arrangements, interlocking the alliance between the two countries further.
THAAD is a crucial move toward securing Israel against the emerging threats in the ever more volatile region. Since missile technology continues to evolve, it has become increasingly important for Israel to defend itself from future attacks which would come in long range and precision.
This sensitive ally of the U.S. in this region is thus assured with this power anti-missile system, and any hostile force would realize immediately that any threat against the security of Israel will meet equal confrontation from its enemies.
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