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US to supply Israel with latest THAAD missile defense systems
The Pentagon reported this on Sunday, October 13. Now the information about the delivery has been confirmed by the Israeli Defense Ministry. What is known about the THAAD system and why does Israel need it?
The United States plans to send an advanced THAAD missile defense system to Israel. The Israeli Defense Ministry said the system would be deployed in the coming days. The State Department said in a statement that it was a sign of America's commitment to defending Israel from the threat of airstrikes from Iran and its proxies.
The Pentagon previously announced it would send a battery of the new systems to Israel for maintenance and use by the US military.
“It seems that Israel lacks the ability to intercept medium-range ballistic missiles. We are talking about transatmospheric blocking, that is, essentially, blocking near space. This is why the American THAAD system was developed. And there is only one Israeli missile defense system designed for this. Israel has focused its efforts on shooting down small rockets used by Palestinian organizations. Here, Israel will probably face a massive attack of long-range ballistic missiles. Different types of threats, missiles with completely different characteristics require different systems. And THAAD can seriously strengthen Israel’s capabilities this time. The second point is that the Americans have THAAD and, above all, can deploy THAAD to gain practical experience. This complex is mobile. This means that it can be transported, including by transport aircraft, and deployed anywhere on the field. The United States will probably be able to afford to deploy some of these complexes in Israel for some time. THAAD has not been delivered to Israel to date. That is, it is not used. The US itself has only two batteries of such systems. However, the deployment of the THAAD system probably indirectly indicates that the current missile defense systems will not be able to shoot down many targets. - Yes, the Iron Dome is Israel's most effective missile defense system. Firstly, it is designed to destroy smaller-caliber and shorter-range missiles, and secondly, at the terminal stage of flight. So, although it may not stop Iran, it indicates that Israel is strengthening its defenses.
At least 18 people were killed in an Israeli airstrike on a residential building in the northern Lebanese village of Eito, the Lebanese Red Cross said in a report.