US official confirms sending THAAD air defense system to Israel being mulled, but no decision yet

A US official told The Times of Israel that US President Joe Biden’s administration is considering transferring Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) air defense systems to Israel, but added that a decision has not yet been made, Report informs.

Earlier, several Israeli reports claimed that the US will deploy the anti-ballistic missile system in the Jewish state — including sending American troops to Israeli soil to operate it — as part of preparations for the expected Israeli response to Iran’s recent missile attack.

The US has a wide range of missile defense systems arrayed across the Middle East and Europe, including Patriot systems. Officials have been discussing for months what types of air defense systems to deploy to the region and where to put them. Any move of a THAAD to Israel would involve the deployment of soldiers to operate the complex system.

A year ago, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin ordered the deployment of a THAAD battery and additional Patriot battalions to locations around the Middle East to increase the protection of US forces and to aid in the defense of Israel. According to an April report by the Congressional Research Service, the US Army has seven THAAD batteries. Generally, each consists of six truck-mounted launchers, 48 interceptors, radio and radar equipment, and it requires 95 soldiers to operate.

The THAAD is considered a complimentary system to the Patriot, but it can defend a wider area. It can hit targets at ranges of 150-200 kilometers.