Hawzah News Agency- Sources said US forces fired more than 100 Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) systems - and possibly up to 150 - which make up a significant portion of the US's advanced air defense system stockpile.
Using so many THAAD interceptors in such a short period exposed a gap in the US missile defense network and depleted a costly asset at a moment when American public support for Israeli defense has reached historic lows.
Former US defense officials and missile experts told CNN that the rapid drawdown has also raised concerns about America’s global security posture and ability to regenerate supplies at speed.
CNN reported that an early intelligence assessment determined the US’ strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities last month did not destroy the core components of the country’s nuclear program and likely only set it back by months.
A defense official declined to provide information on the THAAD inventory due to operational security concerns, but said the Defense Department “remains postured to respond to any threat''.
The number of THAADs spent in the 12-day war was first reported by The Wall Street Journal.
Despite the heavy use of THAADs during the 12-day war to help fend off Tehran’s assault last month, dozens of Iranian missiles still struck Israel.
THAAD is a mobile system that can engage and destroy short-, medium-, and intermediate-range ballistic missiles both inside and outside of the Earth’s atmosphere during their final phase of flight. Each battery is operated by 95 American soldiers, armed with six launchers, and 48 interceptors. The interceptors are manufactured by Lockheed Martin and cost roughly $12.7 million, according to the 2025 Missile Defense Agency budget.
Source: CNN
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