US Steps UP Support For Israel; To Sent THAAD Missile Defence System, Troops (X image @RealScottRitter)
Along with its troops, United States has deployed THAAD (Terminal High Altitude Area Defence), one of the country’s most advanced missile defence system. US Department of Defence said that Pentagon chief Lloyd Austin had authorised the deployment of THAAD “battery and associated crew of US military personnel to Israel” to help boost its air defences.
The move followed a recent barrage of missiles from Iran on Israel, retaliating for the assassinations of key Iranian and Hezbollah leaders.
Reportedly, Israeli military faced huge casualties recently. Reports suggest that so far Israeli military has acknowledged the death of 16 soldiers, and 305 others were injured.
Yesterday, Hezbollah claimed its attack on Israeli army training base in Binyamina killed 4, and injured over 67 soldiers. Hezbollah also attacked TeratKarmiel base, and Haifa. The attacks caused significant damages to the Israeli military, claims the report.
Israel was able to deflect almost all the missiles targeted at it through its Iron Dome, an advanced defence system. However, the recent attacks on Tel Aviv leads to question the powers of Iron Dome, though it had detected most of missile attacks from Iran. Iran said that they have missiles that can go under the radar of Iron Dome.
US’ move to deploy the THAAD also put Israel’s own air defence capabilities on spotlight. It also brings in Tehran’s capability in responding. Analysts opine that Iran ha only revealed medium range missiles during its last attack on Israel, and have the ability to put up intense fight with Israel.
While Washington presented the Iran’s October 1st strike as “defeated and ineffective”, damages on the ground told a different story. Satellite images showed damage at the Israeli Air Force’s Nevatim base, which houses F-35 fighter planes, including craters on a runway and taxiway.
Decker Eveleth from the Washington-based Center for Naval Analyses (CNA) said the images showed 32 impact points, including multiple hits in the area of F-35 hangers.
The THAAD is known as a state-of-the-art missile defence system designed to counter short, medium and intermediate-range ballistic missile threats. It is the only US system capable of intercepting targets inside and outside the atmosphere. Reportedly, THAAD undergoes continuous improvements to enhance its effectiveness against evolving threats.
“The THAAD Battery will augment Israel’s integrated air defense system. This action underscores the United States’ ironclad commitment to the defense of Israel, and to defend Americans in Israel, from any further ballistic missile attacks by Iran”, said the Pentagon in a statement.
Two weeks before Iran send a barrage of missiles to Israel as a response to the assassination of Hamas, Iran, and Hezbollah leaders. Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and other Israeli leaders vowed to retaliate.
US President Joe Biden earlier suggested that Israel should refrain from hitting Iran’s nuclear facilities. However, so far, Israel has repeatedly defied the US president’s public warnings.
It is not clear on when exactly will Washington’s defence system will be deployed in Israel.
Earlier, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warned that Washington was “putting [the] lives of its troops at risk by deploying them to operate US missile systems in Israel”. “While we have made tremendous efforts in recent days to contain an all-out war in our region, I say it clearly that we have no red lines in defending our people and interests”, he wrote on social media platform.
Reportedly, THAAD is designed to intercept incoming ballistic missiles during the “terminal phase” of their flight – the final stage before impact. This system can target missiles both inside and outside the atmosphere (endoatmospheric and exoatmospheric). It defends against short, medium and intermediate-range ballistic missiles, making it highly adaptable to various types of missile threats.
At the same time, Iran claimed that it has ballistic missiles that can penetrate any of Israel’s defence systems.
Israel has Arrow-3, Arrow-2, and David’s Sling as its defence system. Its X-Band AN/TPY-2 radar, an advanced ballistic missile defence sensor, already used by the Israeli military, is another system which is equally crucial as THAAD.
Earlier this week, Iran’s state broadcaster IRIB released footage showing the transportable Raytheon X-band radar, part of the THAAD system, being knocked out by Iranian forces moments before a barrage of missiles struck Israeli military sites during Operation True Promise II, said Press TV.
Tehran also claims of Kheibar Shekan-1 and Kheibar Shekan-2 aero-ballistic missiles, which can easily penetrated Israel’s much-touted air defenses, particularly the Arrow-3 and David’s Sling systems. It is said that Kheibar Shekan-2’s more aerodynamic glide vehicle allows it to “trade” its extended range for low-altitude gliding, keeping it below the THAAD system’s engagement envelope, particularly at altitudes below 35 kilometers.
While Washington preached that it favours diplomacy and a de-escalation in the region, critics have noted that it offers Israel unwavering military and diplomatic support. America provides Israel with at least $3.8bn in military aid annually, and the Biden administration has authorised $14bn in further assistance to its ally since Israel started its war in Gaza last October.
