The Saudi Al-Hadath channel has reported that the United States has dispatched a second THAAD (Terminal High Altitude Area Defense) battery to Israel in response to escalating tensions regarding Iran’s nuclear programme.
The delivery reportedly took place yesterday and flight tracking services indicated that an American C-5M Super Galaxy, the largest transport aircraft in the US Air Force, arrived at Nevatim Airbase in southern Israel, where it stayed for approximately eight hours before departing.
The THAAD system stationed in Israel has successfully intercepted multiple missiles launched at the country by the Iran-supported Houthis in Yemen, particularly in the past few weeks.
Last week, US President Donald Trump issued a warning to Iran, stating that he would consider “bombing” and imposing secondary tariffs if Tehran failed to reach an agreement with Washington regarding its nuclear programme.
Iran asserts that it is not pursuing a nuclear weapon, however, it has significantly increased its uranium enrichment to 60 percent purity, a level reached by no other nation without a nuclear weapons programme. Additionally, Iran has hindered international inspectors from accessing its nuclear facilities for verification.
Along with the THAAD battery, two additional Patriot air defence batteries were also delivered to Israel.
THAAD, previously known as Theater High Altitude Area Defense, is an American missile defence system specifically engineered to intercept and neutralize short-, medium-, and intermediate-range ballistic missiles during their terminal phase, which includes descent or reentry. The THAAD interceptor does not carry a warhead; instead, it utilizes the kinetic energy generated upon impact to eliminate the incoming threat.
The system was developed in response to the Scud missile attacks experienced during the Gulf War in 1991. Initially a programme of the United States Army, THAAD is now managed by the Missile Defense Agency. The Navy operates a comparable system known as the sea-based Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense System, which also includes a land-based variant called “Aegis Ashore.”
Although THAAD was initially slated for deployment in 2012, it was first deployed in May 2008. The system has been installed in several locations, including the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Israel, Romania, and South Korea.
On 17 January 2022, THAAD achieved its first successful operational interception over the UAE of a medium-range ballistic missile fired by the Houthi group in Yemen.
