The United States has recently deployed an additional Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) battery to Israel, according to Saudi-based news outlet Al-Hadath.
Two more Patriot air defense batteries have also been stationed in Israel, according to both Al-Hadath and Al-Arabiya. These reinforcements are viewed as a response to escalating regional threats, including missile attacks attributed to Iran-aligned Houthi forces operating out of Yemen.
The first deployment of a THAAD unit to Israel took place in October 2024. This followed a series of missile attacks from Iran earlier in the year. The system achieved its first recorded operational success on Dec. 27, 2024, when it intercepted a ballistic missile launched from Yemen by Houthi terrorists.
The THAAD system successfully intercepted two missiles launched on March 27 by Yemen’s Houthi forces. This marks the sixth interception by the system since its deployment in the region. The missile defense batteries are operated by American military personnel.
Developed by Lockheed Martin, the THAAD system is engineered to target and neutralize short- to intermediate-range ballistic missiles during the final phase of their flight. Each unit typically includes a set of mobile launchers, interceptor missiles, radar components and a fire control mechanism.