THAAD Missile Defense System Deployed In Israel As U.S. To Participate In Military Drills

U.S. THAAD missile defense system deployed in Israel, part of joint drill

Troops belonging to the US European Command (EUCOM) have deployed its THAAD anti-ballistic missile defense system in Israel as part of a joint drill between the two allies, the IDF announced on Monday.

The purpose of the tactical deployment of the mobile American Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system in Israel is “to train the ability to rapidly deploy complex systems around the world, while strengthening capabilities and cooperation with the air defense systems of the Israel Air Force,” the statement said.

The system, which is considered one of the most advanced systems of its kind in the world, will be added to the existing Israeli air defense systems which defend against long-range ballistic missiles.

According to IDF Spokesperson Brig.-Gen. Ronen Manelis, the THAAD system will be deployed in southern Israel and some 200 American troops will take part in the drill.

While the military contends that the drills are part of scheduled exercises and are not related to the high tensions with Iran on Israel’s northern border, an Israeli intelligence assessment found that the threat posed by Iran - including its nuclear and ballistic missile program - is the number one priority for the IDF.

Iran, which possesses more than 1,000 short- and medium-range ballistic missiles, is suspected of continuing to smuggling weapons to countries and non-state actors, such as Hezbollah, which is assessed to have an arsenal of between some 100,000 and 150,000 missiles on Israel’s northern border and Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

Washington and Israel have signed an agreement which would see the US come to assist Israel with missile defense in times of war and last year 3,000 American troops took part in Juniper Cobra, which simulated a massive missile attack on the Israeli homefront.