The United States may station its Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) air defense system in Israel amid heightened tensions with Iran. THAAD is regarded as one of the most sophisticated defense systems in the world and is equipped to intercept ballistic missiles in midair.
The equipment will be operated by US personnel if it is deployed in Israel. This takes into account the measures being made to assist Israel in fending off possible Iranian ballistic missile threats. Security fears have escalated in response to recent missile launches by Iranian proxies. Furthermore, Israel has promised to take revenge for these acts in the wake of Hassan Nasrallah, the leader of Hamas, being killed. Iran has responded by threatening to retaliate if Israeli aggression threatens Tehran's nuclear installations.
According to reports, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has asked the United States for more weaponry in case the confrontation escalates. The Biden administration hasn't decided on a deployment strategy, though.
THAAD vs. Patriot
Although the THAAD system can intercept threats up to 200 kilometers away, it offers a broader coverage area than the well-known Patriot system in U.S. air defense. The United States has deployed the Patriot system widely, and it is capable of taking on both ballistic and cruise missiles. Although complementing, THAAD’s range and coverage are greater than Patriot’s.
Incoming ballistic missiles are intercepted by the THAAD system both within and outside of the Earth's atmosphere in the latter stages of flight. Its radars use kinetic energy instead of explosive warheads to destroy targets, and they can detect and track threats up to 3,000 kilometers away.
At present, the U.S. Army is using seven THAAD batteries, with six launchers and forty-eight interceptors per battery. A full battery setup requires 95 personnel, underscoring the U.S. military’s role in any future deployment in Israel.