Enhancing US military capabilities in Middle East: The THAAD system

The United States is enhancing its military capabilities in the Middle East, both in defense of Israel and its military presence in the region.

This was announced by the US Defense Secretary, Lloyd Austin, who revealed the deployment of the USS Eisenhower aircraft carrier to the US Central Command in the region.

Additionally, new Patriot missiles are being sent there, and most importantly, the advanced American THAAD (Terminal High Altitude Area Defense) anti-ballistic missile system is now operational.

The deployment of THAAD in the Middle East is in response to the need to protect US naval bases from potential Iranian ballistic missile attacks, which could potentially be in the possession of Houthi rebels, Hezbollah, or Iraqi resistance forces, should the situation in the region escalate.

What is the THAAD system?

THAAD is a missile defense system designed to intercept short to medium-range ballistic missiles with high altitudes.

What makes this system more advanced than other defense systems?

What distinguishes this American system is its ability to detect targets remotely up to 1000 km away.

Furthermore, it is the only system designed to intercept targets both within and beyond the atmosphere, and it can reach targets at altitudes of up to 150 km, with a potential range of up to 200 km.

In terms of speed, it travels at eight times the speed of sound. What's even more remarkable is that the THAAD interceptors do not need direct contact with the incoming missile to cause an explosion; they are designed to detonate before colliding with the incoming missile, effectively destroying it. This design makes its hit rate on the target very high.

So, how does this system work?

When the enemy launches a missile, the THAAD radar detects the launch, transmitting the information to the command and control center to confirm that the missile is hostile. Once verified, the THAAD system receives orders to launch an interceptor missile. Following these orders, the interceptor missile is launched toward the hostile target, destroying it.

However, this isn't the first time the American THAAD system has been used in the Middle East.

Moreover, THAAD missiles were previously launched in both Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates to intercept missiles fired by Houthi rebels from Yemen.