USA Transfers THAAD Defense Systems from South Korea to the Middle East

The United States is transferring part of its THAAD missile defense systems from South Korea to the Middle East amid ongoing operations against Iran.

The Washington Post reported on this, citing two officials.

South Korean President Lee Jae-myung also confirmed the redeployment of US missile defense systems.

At a Cabinet meeting, he said that the relocation of US armed forces defense systems would not affect deterrence against North Korea (DPRK), according to Yonhap News.

“We oppose the withdrawal of some US air defense weapons used for our country’s military needs, but it is also a harsh reality that we cannot completely impose our opinion,” Lee Jae-myung said.

American THAAD batteries were previously deployed in South Korea to better combat North Korean ballistic missiles.

In addition, sources from the American publication said that the US military is also transferring interceptor missiles from the Indo-Pacific region and other locations to the Patriot air defense system in the Middle East.

The transfer of additional anti-missile capabilities is necessary to strengthen defense against Iranian ballistic missile attacks.

Fighting THAAD

After the start of the US and Israeli military operation, Iran launched strikes on Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE with the aim of destroying American THAAD anti-missile systems.

Iran primarily attempted to disable the AN/TPY-2 radars that are part of these missile defense systems.

The destruction of such radars could significantly weaken the effectiveness of US missile defense in the region and increase the chances of Iranian ballistic missiles reaching their targets.

The THAAD (Terminal High Altitude Area Defense) system allows for the interception of ballistic targets outside the atmosphere. Only the kinetic energy of the Talon interceptor missile is used to destroy the target.