The Washington Post reported on 10/3 that the Pentagon is deploying components of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system from South Korea to the Middle East, citing two anonymous officials familiar with the matter.

One official indicated the move is a precautionary measure against Iran's potential escalation of attacks, not due to a "shortage of weapons in the Middle East."

A launcher vehicle of the THAAD system at a US military base in Seongju, South Korea on 5/3. Photo: Yonhap

Additionally, officials confirmed Washington is withdrawing patriot interceptor missiles from the Indo-Pacific region and other areas to bolster defenses against Iranian retaliatory attacks.

US and South Korean officials have not yet commented on these reports.

The US maintains a substantial military presence in South Korea, comprising approximately 28,500 personnel and air defense systems like patriot and THAAD, to defend against North Korean threats.

Last week, South Korea's Chosun newspaper reported that US patriot batteries had departed Osan air base, likely for redeployment to military facilities in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

On 10/3, South Korean President Lee Jae-myung stated that the removal of some US weapons would not impact deterrence against North Korea. He noted that Seoul's defense spending and non-nuclear military capabilities surpass Pyongyang's. While South Korea expressed opposition, it acknowledges being unable to make demands.

THAAD is recognized as one of the world's most effective air defense systems, intercepting short to long-range ballistic missiles in their terminal phase. A complete THAAD system includes a control station, an AN/TPY-2 radar, technical equipment, and 6 launchers capable of firing 48 interceptors.

An AN/TPY-2 radar at Muwaffaq Salti base in Jordan was hit in a satellite image taken on 2/3. Photo: Airbus

THAAD interceptors have a 200 km range and a 150 km altitude ceiling. They use thermal imaging sensors to track and destroy targets through direct collision, without explosives.

The Middle East has been in conflict since the US and Israel initiated airstrikes against Iran on 28/2. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) retaliated with missile and drone attacks on Israel and US bases in Arab nations.

Earlier this month, Airbus satellite images showed an AN/TPY-2 radar, part of the THAAD shield in Jordan, was hit and likely destroyed. Iranian forces also struck a THAAD radar storage facility in the UAE, with unclear damage to its contents. Additionally, they damaged an AN/FPS-132 surveillance radar in Qatar, valued at over one billion USD.

These sustained attacks have heavily strained US and allied air defense networks in the Middle East. Observers suggest that patriot systems there face a risk of running low on interceptor missiles, with limited replenishment capabilities.

Pham Giang (According to Washington Post, Korea Times, Reuters)