In a report on January 4, 2025, the United States announced its provision of the THAAD (Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense) system to Israel on October 13 of the previous year. This system is known as one of the most powerful anti-missile weapons in the U.S. military arsenal. The latest development reveals that this top-tier missile defense system has been deployed for combat use in Israel for the first time.
On Monday, December 30, a U.S. defense official confirmed to Business Insider that the THAAD missile defense system has been utilized in the combat zone over the past few days. However, the official did not provide specific details regarding the circumstances of its use nor the types of missile attacks the THAAD system is designed to counter.
A video shared on social media last Friday depicted Israel launching a THAAD interception missile to counter an incoming ballistic missile launched by the Houthi rebels in Yemen. In the background of the video, an American soldier can be heard saying, “I’ve waited 18 years for this moment.”
At present, it remains unclear whether the THAAD missile launch was successful. The Israeli military announced early last Friday local time that a missile launched from Yemen was intercepted before entering Israeli territory. The specifics of the anti-missile defense system utilized to neutralize the missile threat were not disclosed by the Israeli Defense Forces.
Security sources interviewed by the Walla news website confirmed that the THAAD system successfully intercepted the missile. The source added that this interception showcases the partnership between the U.S. and Israel in missile defense, demonstrating their strength in the Middle East.
According to reports from “War Zone,” the incident involving the THAAD system intercepting Yemeni missiles occurred on December 26. A U.S. military official stated that the THAAD system was employed to intercept medium-range ballistic missiles (MRBMs) launched by Iran-backed Houthi rebels.
The Pentagon has not responded to media inquiries. In early October, following a large-scale attack on Israel by Iran, the U.S. deployed a THAAD missile launch facility and approximately 100 soldiers to Israel. At that time, the Pentagon stated that the system would complement Israel’s advanced multi-layered air defense systems.
The Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system is an advanced ground-to-air missile interception system. Combining sophisticated radar systems and interceptors, it is a combat-proven, highly effective defense system capable of thwarting threats from short, medium, and long-range ballistic missiles.
The THAAD defense system is capable of intercepting ballistic missiles with ranges between 150 to 200 kilometers (93 to 124 miles), with a near-perfect success rate in testing. Development of the THAAD system began in 1992, with the U.S. Army currently possessing seven firing batteries, some of which are located outside the continental United States. A typical battery consists of nearly 100 soldiers, six vehicle-mounted launchers, an advanced radar, and a fire control and communication unit.
The first combat interception using the THAAD system occurred in January 2022 when the United Arab Emirates employed the system to launch an interception missile, successfully downing a Houthi ballistic missile. Although the THAAD system is rarely engaged in combat, it is still considered one of the world’s most advanced air defense systems.
Following a massacre conducted by Hamas in Israel on October 7, 2023, the U.S. dispatched a THAAD missile launch system to the Middle East to protect American forces. This deployment in October 2024 further bolstered Israel’s missile defense systems.
Israel’s existing defense systems comprise three layers, including the Iron Dome system, David’s Sling, and the Arrow system. These systems have played a significant role in defending Israel against attacks from Hamas, Hezbollah, and Iran.
Amid the recent deployment of the THAAD missile system, there has been a notable increase in missile and drone attacks on Israel by the Houthi rebels over the past few weeks. In response, the Israeli military has conducted airstrikes against the rebel forces in Yemen.
Elsewhere, the deployment of THAAD has drawn close attention from U.S. competitors, particularly China. China strongly opposed the U.S.’s deployment of the THAAD system in South Korea. Experts suggest that Beijing is concerned the powerful radar system of THAAD could be used to monitor activities within Chinese territory.
The U.S. has also deployed the THAAD anti-missile system in Guam to protect important U.S. military bases on the Pacific island from potential ballistic missile threats from both China and North Korea.