The United States confirms deployment of the latest THAAD missile defence system in Israel

US Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin said that the United States had deployed the THAAD air defence system in Israel to strengthen its defence.

Here's What We Know

According to him, the US battery of the THAAD missile defence system has already been deployed in Israel, along with the US military, which will provide its maintenance.

In addition, the minister refused to comment on whether the system was put on alert and whether it was capable of intercepting Iranian missiles.

"The THAAD system is working," Austin told reporters.

The minister also added that the US Army has the ability to deploy it to a combat position very quickly, and this process is currently meeting their expectations.

As a reminder, US President Joe Biden has instructed Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin to deploy THAAD missile defence batteries in Israel. This battery will strengthen Israel's integrated air defence system.

Flashback

THAAD (Terminal High Altitude Area Defence) is a US missile defence system designed to intercept intermediate-range ballistic missiles in the middle and final stages of their flight. The system is effective both in and out of the atmosphere. THAAD uses a kinetic method of destruction (without explosives) - the interceptor missile destroys the target through the kinetic energy of the collision. THAAD can defend against missile threats at altitudes of up to 150 km and at distances of up to 200 km, and the system's radar station can detect targets at distances of up to 1,000 kilometres.

Source: Reuters