The United States is set to deploy a high-altitude anti-missile system to Israel, enhancing the country’s air defense capabilities in response to a recent missile attack from Iran. This decision follows President Joe Biden’s directive to send the Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense (Thaad) system and a military crew to protect Israeli airspace.
On October 1, Iran launched nearly 200 ballistic missiles targeting Israel, with the Israeli military successfully intercepting the majority; however, several missiles did manage to impact central and southern areas of Israel.
While Israel has yet to publicly outline its response to the missile barrage, Defence Minister Yoav Gallant has indicated a forthcoming reaction that will be “deadly, precise, and above all surprising.”
Iran has vowed to retaliate against any Israeli attacks. The Pentagon emphasized that the Thaad deployment reinforces the United States’ unwavering commitment to Israel’s defense, especially against ballistic missile threats emanating from Iran.
This marks a significant moment; the US had previously placed a Thaad battery in the Middle East following a Hamas attack last October and stationed one in Israel for a training exercise in 2019. However, the current deployment of military personnel in conjunction with the Thaad system is comparatively rare.
Iran’s missile assault is seen as retaliation for the assassinations of several Iranian and Hezbollah leaders, amidst an intensifying campaign by Israel against Iranian-backed Hezbollah through air strikes across Lebanon.
The ongoing tensions in this volatile region have persisted, with cross-border exchanges continuing since last October, when Hezbollah responded with fire as a show of support for Palestinians in Gaza. Recently, calls for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas have yet to achieve tangible results.
Understanding the Thaad System
The recent announcement signifies rising concerns regarding ballistic missile threats against Israel. Thaad serves as an essential layer of protection, targeting both endo and exo-atmospheric threats, with each battery costing approximately $1 billion.
As described by its manufacturer, the Thaad system excels at intercepting short, medium, and long-range missiles. Thaad missiles can engage targets over a range of up to 200 kilometers (about 124 miles), utilizing a “hit-to-kill” approach rather than proximity detonation.
Israel’s comprehensive missile defense architecture combines the Iron Dome for short-range threats, David’s Sling for medium-range projectiles, and the Arrow defense system for long-range ballistic missiles.
Countering ballistic missile incursions remains a daunting challenge due to their incredible speed and rapid angular changes during the terminal phase. Furthermore, estimates reveal that Hezbollah possesses around 150,000 rockets, predominantly supplied by Iran, exacerbating the threat landscape.
