What is THAAD, the US anti-ballistic missile system that Def Sec Austin promised to send to Israel?

U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin recently told Defense Minister Yoav Gallant that the U.S. would send one of its most powerful anti-ballistic missile systems, THAAD, to Israel in an effort “to help bolster Israel's air defenses following Iran's unprecedented attacks against Israel on April 13 and again on October 1.”  

The decision to send the THAAD air defense system comes after Iran launched at least 180 ballistic missiles toward Israel earlier this month in a retaliatory attack for the killing of several high-profile Iranian and proxy officials, including Hezbollah Sec.-Gen. Hassan Nasrallah, Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh and IRGC officer Abbas Nilforoushan. 

Israel has also faced near-daily missile, rocket and mortar attacks from Iran's proxy in Lebanon, the Hezbollah terrorist organization, since Oct. 8, 2023. 

THAAD (Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense) is expected to augment Israel’s existing defenses, helping protect Israel from future Iranian ballistic missile attacks. The THAAD system has demonstrated a high success rate in tests and is seen as an extra layer of protection against the type of high-volume ballistic missile attacks that Iran launched against Israel in April and on Oct. 1. 

The THAAD system uses a combination of advanced radar systems and interceptors, similar to Israel’s existing David’s Sling and Arrow 3 anti-ballistic missile defense systems, both of which have performed well so far. However, the Iranian attacks, involving hundreds of ballistic missiles still represent a significant threat, making an additional layer of defense preferable. 

THAAD is the only U.S. anti-ballistic missile system capable of engaging and destroying short-, medium- or intermediate-range ballistic missiles, either inside or outside the atmosphere, during their final descent phase of flight. 

Unlike David’s Sling and the Arrow 3, THAAD is a kinetic system, meaning the interceptor relies on the kinetic force of impact to destroy the incoming ballistic missile, whereas the Israeli systems use an explosive charge in the interceptor to destroy the incoming missile. 

One THAAD battery is composed of six launching vehicles, each equipped with eight interceptors, two mobile tactical operations centers (TOCs), and the AN/TPY-2 digital X-band radar system for tracking ballistic missiles throughout their flight. 

Along with the battery, the U.S. military will send about 100 troops to man the battery. 

Military analyst Cedric Leighton, a former U.S. Air Force colonel said: “When it is put in place, it will actually add a layer to the existing Israeli air and missile defenses.”

While the exact capabilities of THAAD are still classified, it can intercept ballistic missiles at ranges up to 93 to 124 miles. 

THAAD can communicate with other U.S. missile defense systems, however, it is not known exactly how it integrates with Israel’s existing air defense systems, or if it operates independently. 

Aside from the U.S., THAAD has been previously deployed to Israel, Romania, South Korea, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates.

In the UAE, the system made its first real-world interception of an Iranian-made ballistic missile launched by Houthi rebels in Yemen. 

The THAAD system being sent to Israel is apparently an additional unit, as a battery has been stationed near the Netavim Air Force base in southern Israel since 2008.