The United States announced that it will deploy the advanced missile defense system “THAAD” in Israel. According to experts, the goal is to strengthen the Jewish state against possible Iranian attacks.
The latest US announcement relates to installing a system that provides protection against ballistic missiles and sending about a hundred soldiers necessary to operate it. The Pentagon reported on October 13 that the THAAD (High Altitude Area Defense) battery will bolster its key ally's already highly effective air defenses. It is not yet known when the American equipment and soldiers will arrive.
What is THAAD?
The THAAD system is one of the most advanced and powerful anti-missile systems in the American arsenal. Israel already uses several air defense systems developed jointly with the United States to repel drones and missiles launched from various distances; Such as the Iron Dome, David's Sling, and the Arrow.
The THAAD system has advanced radar capable of detecting missiles from a greater distance, so its interceptors have a long range as well. “It's a much better anti-missile system.” – said expert Hussein Arian, who believes that the THAAD system has a much greater range than the current capabilities of Israeli air defense.
Why is the United States installing such a system in Israel?
The US decision came after Iran fired 180 ballistic missiles at Israel on October 1. According to some, the attack revealed weaknesses in the defense of the Jewish state. According to Aryan, this is why Washington wants to strengthen Israel's missile defense capabilities in the event of a possible new series of Iranian air strikes.
This was the Islamic Republic's largest direct attack on its main enemy to date, in response to the Israeli attack in Lebanon and actions against the Shiite militant group Hezbollah.
Israel downplayed the damage caused by the Iranian attack, but satellite images show that about thirty ballistic missiles struck the vicinity of the Nevatim air base in southern Israel. The footage shows the damage to the buildings and the amphitheater.
American-made F-35 fighter aircraft are also stationed at this base. According to experts, it was not long before Iranian missiles did not hit these military aircraft. An Iranian missile fell near the headquarters of the Israeli intelligence agency (Mossad) in Tel Aviv, leaving a large crater.
Israel promised a strict response to the Iranian missile attack.
Meanwhile, on October 13, four Israeli soldiers were killed in a drone attack by Iran-backed Hezbollah, which controls much of southern Lebanon. According to Shashank Joshi, a visiting scholar at King's College London, the United States decided to deploy THAAD because “We expect Israel to prepare for widespread retaliation in response to the recent Iranian missile attack, which will likely lead to another Iranian strike.”
He stressed that Israel could target Iran's military infrastructure, Tehran's leadership, and even the country's nuclear facilities. Whatever option the Iranian leadership chooses, it will likely retaliate with military force.” to caution.
