The Israeli army regarded the deployment of US THAAD missile defense system for the first time in Israel as an indication of boosting bilateral historical relations and a strategic alliance.
However, political opposition figures in Tel Aviv said that the timing was not coincidental, as it reflected obvious efforts by US President Donald Trump to see his friend and ally, Benjamin Netanyahu, as prime minister of the Israeli government once again after the upcoming elections.
The Israeli army has earlier revealed that as part of a drill conducted by the United States European Command (EUCOM), the US military will deploy for the first time the THAAD missile defense system in Israel.
It said the drill was conducted few days after the two countries completed a more routine joint exercise, Juniper Falcon, as part of the joint operation of the system to practice rapid deployment across the globe of complex systems.
The drill “emphasizes the US’ commitment to the defense and security of Israel.”
“The Israeli army is working in cooperation with US forces in order to enhance coordination between the two militaries and to strengthen the ability to defend Israeli airspace,” the army added.
It is also considered a chance to enhance cooperation with the Israeli army’s air defense systems.
The army also said it “stands ready to protect Israel’s airspace and civilians against a variety of threats from near and far,” noting that “this is a defensive deployment that is not related to any specific current event.”
Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) is considered one of the world’s most advanced defense systems that intercepts short- and medium-range ballistic missiles.
Its capabilities are determined by factors such as location, range, and threat characteristics.
The system has capabilities within and beyond the air layer, using kinetic energy to intercept missiles.
According to the Israeli army, this system constitutes a “qualitative addition to the Israeli air defense capabilities specialized against long-range ballistic missiles”.
