Military Space News
MISSILE DEFENSE
Advanced US missile system 'in place' in Israel: Pentagon
Advanced US missile system 'in place' in Israel: Pentagon
by AFP Staff Writers
Washington (AFP) Oct 21, 2024

An advanced THAAD missile defense battery is now "in place" in Israel, Pentagon chief Lloyd Austin said, as Washington seeks to help shield the country against Iranian attacks.

The deployment of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system comes as Israel prepares to hit back against Iran for a major ballistic missile attack earlier this month, the second time Tehran directly targeted its arch foe this year.

"That system is in place," Austin told journalists, according to a transcript of his remarks released Monday.

"We're not going to talk about... whether it's operational or not, but we have the ability to put it into operation very quickly," he added.

The Pentagon announced on October 13 that it would deploy a THAAD battery to Israel. Spokesman Major General Pat Ryder said last week that an advance team of US personnel and components for the battery had arrived, with more to follow soon.

The deployment "underscores the United States' commitment to the defense of Israel and to defend Americans in Israel from any ballistic missile attacks by Iran," Ryder said.

Iran has carried out two major attacks against Israel in 2024 -- one in April after a strike on its consulate in Damascus that was blamed on Israel, and another in October that Tehran said was in response to the assassination of leaders of groups it backs in the Middle East.

US ships and warplanes have helped defend Israel from the Iranian attacks, but the deployment of the THAAD battery puts the US troops who will operate it -- as well as the highly costly system itself -- on the ground in Israel and more directly in harm's way.

The THAAD system -- which was developed in the 1990s, with the first battery activated in 2008 -- is operated by 95 soldiers and consists of six truck-mounted launchers with eight interceptors each, a radar, and a fire control component, according to the US Congressional Research Service.

Related Links
Learn about missile defense at SpaceWar.com
Learn about nuclear weapons doctrine and defense at SpaceWar.com
All about missiles at SpaceWar.com
Learn about the Superpowers of the 21st Century at SpaceWar.com

Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters
Tweet

RELATED CONTENT
The following news reports may link to other Space Media Network websites.
MISSILE DEFENSE
RTX Raytheon SM-3 Block IIA missile reaches full-rate production
Los Angeles CA (SPX) Oct 21, 2024
Raytheon, an RTX (NYSE: RTX) business, has successfully moved its Standard Missile-3 (SM-3) Block IIA into full-rate production, marking a significant validation of the missile's design and performance. This step comes as demand grows from the U.S. government and allied nations. This production milestone follows a $1.9 billion contract awarded in July 2024 by the U.S. Missile Defense Agency (MDA). The contract covers the production of SM-3 Block IIA rounds for both the U.S. and Japan's Ministry of ... read more

MISSILE DEFENSE
Advanced US missile system 'in place' in Israel: Pentagon

RTX Raytheon SM-3 Block IIA missile reaches full-rate production

US missile battery deployment deepens role in Israel-Iran conflict

Pentagon: THAAD components, personnel arrive in Israel

MISSILE DEFENSE
Australia to buy advanced US missiles in $4.7 bn deal

Hezbollah says hit two Israeli tanks with guided missiles

Britain joins Europe long-range missile program

Taiwan says China tested two missiles during war games

MISSILE DEFENSE
Ukraine drone attack kills one in occupied city: Moscow

DARPA awards Sikorsky $6M to integrate autonomy in Black Hawk for US Army

RTX showcases fully autonomous UAV coordination during U.S. Army EDGE24 exercise

Hezbollah drones target Netanyahu's home; PM calls it 'assassination' attempt

MISSILE DEFENSE
Intelsat and US Army Complete pilot program for Managed Satellite Communication Services

ViaSat-3 F1 Now Providing Services to Government Customers

SWIFT marks key advancement in Lockheed Martin and Altera partnership

Northrop Grumman completes Hybrid SATCOM test with commercial space internet

MISSILE DEFENSE
Pentagon announces $400M in new round of military arms support for Ukraine

Lockheed Martin and Altera complete key electronic warfare demonstration for DoD

US defense chief in Kyiv announces $400 million in military aid

U.S. to send $425M in more military aid to Ukraine

MISSILE DEFENSE
Britain, Germany agree to significantly deepen their defense alliance

UK and Germany to sign 'milestone' defence deal

US imposes curbs on firms over support of Pakistan, Iran weapons programs

NATO in push for common military equipment standards

MISSILE DEFENSE
NATO, Ukraine, trade: Europe's jitters ahead of US vote

India, China and S.Africa leaders bolster Putin at key summit

China, Russia, Iran and N. Korea cooperation worries Swiss intelligence

China, Vatican extend deal on bishop appointments

MISSILE DEFENSE
New Technique Enables Mass Production of Metal Nanowires

Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters




The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2024 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. All articles labeled "by Staff Writers" include reports supplied to Space Media Network by industry news wires, PR agencies, corporate press officers and the like. Such articles are individually curated and edited by Space Media Network staff on the basis of the report's information value to our industry and professional readership. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Statement Our advertisers use various cookies and the like to deliver the best ad banner available at one time. All network advertising suppliers have GDPR policies (Legitimate Interest) that conform with EU regulations for data collection. By using our websites you consent to cookie based advertising. If you do not agree with this then you must stop using the websites from May 25, 2018. Privacy Statement. Additional information can be found here at About Us.