US arms Israel with THAAD air defence system; One THAAD battery costs a staggering…, requires at least 95 …

Why is THAAD missile system so special?

THAAD air defence: The United States has sent its advanced missile defense system THAAD to Israel. This decision was made following the severe missile attack on Israel by Iran on October 1, 2024 in which Iran fired more than 180 ballistic missiles. The then U.S. President Joe Biden had stated that the purpose of deploying THAAD is to ensure Israel’s security. About 100 American soldiers will also be deployed for this operation. This will increase the U.S. military presence in the region.

What is the cost of this dangerous missile system and why is it special? Let’s find out here.

THAAD stands for ‘Terminal High Altitude Area Defense’. It is a type of anti-missile system. It was developed by the American company Lockheed Martin. It is capable of destroying short, medium, and to some extent, long-range ballistic missiles in the air. According to the American Congressional Research Service, a THAAD battery includes 95 soldiers, six truck-mounted launchers, 48 interceptors (eight on each launcher), advanced radar surveillance, and a tactical fire element.

Each THAAD battery costs approximately 1 billion dollars. This system requires an efficient crew to operate effectively. Reports indicate that two C-17 military transport aircraft delivered THAAD equipment from Alabama to Israel.

The strategic importance of this deployment cannot be overlooked, as it marked America’s increasing intervention in the conflict between IDF and Hamas in Gaza.

THAAD employs ‘hit-to-kill’ technology, meaning it destroys enemy missiles by directly colliding with them. It is capable of covering a much larger area compared to the older Patriot air and missile defense system. It can be rapidly deployed anywhere and is capable of addressing missile threats both in and out of the atmosphere. This is what makes it a sought-after system by many countries.