THAAD Deployment: America’s Newest Gift to Israel
Image source: Reuters
Hold onto your hats, folks, because it looks like the U.S. is once again playing the role of the big brother in the Middle East—and this time, it’s bringing its fancy THAAD missile system along for the ride. Right when tensions are rising like the price of avocados, the U.S. has decided to deploy this high-tech weaponry in Israel. It’s like gifting someone a Ferrari when they’ve just told you their old car is on its last legs!
The Current Situation: Tensions Rise
The backdrop of this military move is a simmering conflict between Israel and Iran that just got a lot hotter, especially after Iran fired missiles at Israel on October 1. And what’s the U.S. response? Slapping down a THAAD battery as if to say, “No more shenanigans, mister!”
A Pentagon statement made it clear that U.S. President Joe Biden is all-in on this, declaring the deployment as “defending Israel and Americans in Israel from further ballistic missile attacks by Iran.” Because who wouldn’t want a shield of missiles while trying to enjoy a falafel?
What is THAAD?
Now, let’s break it down for those not fluent in military jargon. The THAAD, or Terminal High Altitude Area Defense system, is a missile defense system that can knock down incoming threats at staggering heights—up to 150 kilometers. Imagine a super tech-savvy bouncer at a nightclub saying, “Not today, ballistic missile!”
In an interview with military expert Dhifallah Al-Daboubi, he explained that THAAD missiles are 12 meters long and rely on the force of impact instead of explosives. So, it’s less “boom” and more “wham, bam, thank you ma’am!” It’s like that friend who shows up to a party empty-handed but still manages to get the last slice of pizza—how do they do that?!
The Fallout: Deterrence and Diplomacy
Experts like Sasha Bruchman weigh in, suggesting that while THAAD is a fantastic piece of tech—a bit like the Swiss Army knife of missile defenses—it might just deter, not destroy. They note that it’s designed to intercept medium to long-range missiles, meaning Iran might still get a few shots in before THAAD gets its act together. It’s like setting up a new security system but forgetting to turn it on—oops!
Interestingly, Al-Daboubi noted that this system also acts as a mind game. With THAAD in place, Iran might think twice before launching any ballistic missiles towards Israel. It’s like having a really fierce dog in your yard—suddenly the cat has to reconsider its life choices!
Israel’s Delayed Response: A Calculated Move?
Now, while all this military maneuvering is happening, Israel is oddly quiet on its response to Iran’s missile attacks. According to Al-Daboubi, their lack of immediate reaction is a response in itself. It’s like that famous quote, “Silence is golden”—and apparently, quite strategic too!
The Iranian Foreign Minister warned that the Americans might be jeopardizing their troops by deploying missile systems in the region. But hey, it’s all part of the game, isn’t it? It’s a high-stakes poker table, and right now, both sides are bluffing harder than a bad casino. The U.S. is supportive, but also cautious. Biden is out here saying, “Please don’t bomb nuclear reactors, folks; let’s keep this civilized!”
An Uncertain Future
As we peer into the crystal ball of international politics, the stakes are nothing short of dramatic. While the THAAD system is a powerhouse, it’s clear that the tension isn’t going away any time soon. Iran may need to deploy more missiles if it wants to make a dent—and with the U.S. in the background, that’s a risky bet!
In summary, we’ve got the U.S. flexing its military muscles, Israel playing the enigmatic card, and Iran contemplating its move like a game of chess where all pieces are kings! One thing’s for sure, the Middle East is a stage, and everyone’s waiting for the next big act—but let’s hope this one doesn’t turn into a tragedy.
Image source: CSIS
Image source: Rafael Advanced Defense System
Image source: Reuters
Image caption: An archive photo of the THAAD interceptor missile being launched during a test.
4 hours ago
In light of the accelerating tensions in the Middle East, the conflict between Israel and Iran is worsening, especially with the United States of America announcing its deployment in Israel of the THAAD missile system, in addition to an American military crew, to help strengthen its air defenses after a missile attack from Iran on October 1. .
It is not the first time that the United States has deployed a THAAD battery in the region, as the United States had previously deployed a THAAD battery in Israel in 2019 for training and integrated air defense exercises.
American support for Israel constitutes an integral part of its policy, as it was stated in a Pentagon statement that US President Joe Biden ordered the sending of the High Altitude Air Defense Battery (THAAD) and its crew “to defend Israel.” The statement also stressed that “this action confirms the firm commitment of the United States to defend Israel.” Israel, and defend Americans in Israel, from any further ballistic missile attacks by Iran.”
What is the THAAD missile system?
In an interview with the BBC with military and strategic expert Dhifallah Al-Daboubi, he explained that THAAD is an air defense system designed for high altitudes, meaning its height may reach 150 km. This system targets ballistic missiles, and is twelve meters long and three meters wide, stressing that its “speed exceeds eight to nine times the speed of sound.” It is also easy to move and accepts commands from satellites, according to Al-Daboubi.
Al-Daboubi points out that what distinguishes THAAD is that it does not contain any explosives, but rather relies on “the force of impact,” adding that “what is meant by the air defense battery is that it is a missile strip, consisting of nine launchers.” “Israel is scheduled to receive one battery, which will be distributed from north to south, with three missiles in each region: northern, central, and southern.”
Military analyst at the International Institute for Strategic Studies, Sasha Bruchman, says that “THAAD is likely the most accurate system in the world,” pointing out that the radar that guides the missile is very advanced, and can distinguish between debris and an actual threat, and the system also targets missiles. When you re-enter the atmosphere at high altitudes, the true capabilities may be ‘secret’. However, THAAD’s range is estimated at (150 km-200 km) and it can intercept targets outside the atmosphere, according to Bruchman.
Al-Daboubi says that THAAD missiles “will only be a deterrent weapon for Iran, as they are not like the Iron Dome system and not like David’s Sling, because they are only used for medium distances, meaning approximately 2,000 km, or long distances, meaning up to 10,000 km.”
This was also confirmed by Bruchman, who explained that “Iron Dome intercepts small missiles, drones, and missiles, adding that the THAAD system was designed to shoot down those ballistic missiles that Iran used in its recent attack on Israel.”
Bruchman points out that THAAD uses advanced radar and has been present in Israel since 2019. He points out that these systems can share information, which is important if they try to shoot down missiles at a speed of several thousand km/hour. “The more of these radars linked together in the battle management system, the better the picture and therefore the higher the interception rate.”
Image source: CSIS
Image source: Rafeal Advanced Defense System
“A deterrent factor for Iran”
Al-Daboubi confirms, “We have not witnessed any shooting operations so that we can judge them in advance,” noting that “the THAAD missile system has not been tested on battlefields, but the Americans’ confidence in it is that it will be Israel’s first defensive weapon, in addition to that once this system is in place.” For Israel, it is considered a land of power, and it is also a deterrent factor for Iran.” He says, “Iran will take into account more than once before launching any ballistic missiles towards Israel.”
Brochman points out that “Iran hopes to exhaust Israeli interceptor missiles, especially those of the Arrow 2 and Arrow 3 models, which are designed to intercept medium-range ballistic missiles.”
He asserts that “there is evidence that the Israelis did not intercept the largest possible number of Iranian missiles for fear of running out of future attacks,” pointing out that “the United States alleviated the fear by increasing the number of interceptor missiles for the most advanced Iranian missiles.”
Brochman adds, “We do not know how many advanced missiles Iran possesses, but with the introduction of the THAAD system, it will have to launch more in another attack if it wants to achieve anything, and Tehran must calculate the number of remaining missiles.”
Brochman explains that the THAAD system is very expensive and requires a highly trained crew, pointing out that the system is rare, as the United States has only seven batteries. So sending one is a “big commitment.” Pointing out that there is supposedly a “limited” supply of interceptor missiles globally. Being expensive and cannot be produced as quickly as they may be needed.
“Israel’s delay in responding is a response in itself.”
Image caption: Iranian missiles were fired at Israel.
Israel did not announce how it would respond to the Iranian attack, which Iran said “came in response to the assassination of both the leader of the Lebanese Hezbollah movement, Hassan Nasrallah, in Beirut, and the head of the Hamas political bureau, Ismail Haniyeh, in Tehran.”
Al-Daboubi asserts that “Israel’s delay in responding is a response in itself, which has put Iran on guard against the Israeli strike since October 1.” According to statements by Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Galant, the response will be “deadly, precise, and above all surprising.”
In turn, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi confirmed that indirect contacts with the United States had stopped due to the situation in the region. Araqchi had warned that Washington was putting the lives of its forces “at risk by deploying them to operate American missile systems in Israel.”
Al-Daboubi pointed out, “If the Israeli strike is not very painful, it is believed that Iran will not respond.” He indicated in his interview with the BBC, “He does not expect Israel’s strike to be strong, given the American warning not to bomb any nuclear reactor or oil materials.” US President Joe Biden had opposed any attack on Iran’s nuclear facilities, as well as on its oil or energy infrastructure, amid fears that this would ignite an escalating conflict and in turn affect the global economy.
