US deploys THAAD to Israel for first time

The US military has deployed a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system to Israel for the first time, US European Command (EUCOM) and the Israeli Air Force (IAF) announced on 4 March.

A US Army THAAD launcher from Battery B, 2nd Air Defense Artillery Regiment is seen being unloaded from a C-17 transporter at Nevatim Air Base, Israel, on 1 March 2019. (174th Air Defense Artillery Brigade)

EUCOM said the system was from the Texas-based 11th Air Defense Artillery Brigade and described the deployment as a “readiness exercise” and part of the Dynamic Forces Employment concept to prove that the US military can respond quickly to any threat.

Photographs were released showing a THAAD launcher from Battery B of the 2nd Air Defense Artillery Regiment being unloaded from a C-17 transport aircraft at Israel’s Nevatim Air Base on 1 March.

“During the deployment, our service members will work in various locations throughout Israel and will practise operational procedures for augmenting Israel’s existing air and missile defence architecture,” EUCOM said. “Our service members will refine network connectivity, [will] validate requirements for the THAAD system, and will conduct multinational training and security co-operation activities with our allies to improve interoperability and build readiness.”

“The deployment is meant to improve our readiness for the day when we are called to operate together in combat,” said Brigadier General Ran Kochav, the commander of the IAF Air Defense Division. “The American battery brings additional capabilities and increases the scope of our interception abilities.”