Iran will soon use underwater rockets.

Defense industry news on March 12: Iran will soon use underwater rockets; the US urgently deploys a THAAD missile defense system battery...

The US is urgently deploying a THAAD missile defense system battery.

Recently, the US has urgently deployed a battery of the THAAD (Terminal High Altitude Area Defense) missile defense system. According to the Telegram channel "Military Chronicle," Western reports have confirmed the transfer of a THAAD battery from South Korea to the Middle East. Components of this system may be deployed in Saudi Arabia or the United Arab Emirates. A battery includes an AN/TPY-2 radar, six launchers, a fire control vehicle, and support equipment.

The launch platform of the THAAD system. Photo: Defense News

This move is simply a rearrangement of the components of the U.S. missile defense system, for which Washington has few options. Currently, the U.S. military has only three THAAD missile batteries, located on Guam and at Fort Bliss and Fort Cavazos bases in Texas.

"The THAAD system, which is touted as being capable of covering many areas of the world simultaneously, is in fact quite limited in the number of critical components such as early warning radars and launchers," Military Chronicle reported.

Furthermore, redeploying THAAD systems to the Middle East would weaken the U.S. defense capabilities in several key areas. In March 2026, Kelly Grieco, a senior expert at the Stimson Center, estimated that if the military campaign in the Middle East continues, the U.S. could use up half of its currently stored THAAD missile defense system.

Iran will soon use underwater rockets.

According to the Russian news agency TASS, citing Ali Fadavi, Deputy Commander of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), Tehran may soon use a new type of underwater-launched missile.

“We have underwater-launched missiles, traveling at 100 meters per second. We will probably use them in the coming days,” said Ali Fadavi. However, details about Iran’s new missile were not disclosed.

Iranian ballistic missiles. Photo: Topwar

Previously, Iran had begun using Khorramshahr-4 medium-range ballistic missiles (MRBMs) in retaliation against Israel. These missiles have an estimated range of approximately 2,000 km and carry a 1,500 kg warhead.

Switzerland seeks new air defense weapons to replace Patriot.

According to an official statement from the Swiss Federal Council, the Federal Ministry of Defence , Civil Protection and Sport (DDPS) has been tasked with conducting an in-depth analysis of the feasibility of procuring a new long-range air defense system.

This move stems from the urgent need to compensate for the anticipated shortfall in defense capabilities, arising from the disruption of the Air2030 armed forces modernization program and the changing nature of modern conflicts.

Switzerland is seeking new air defense weapons to replace its Patriot system. Photo: Getty

Experience from military campaigns in Ukraine has demonstrated the crucial role of long-range weapons (cruise missiles and tactical ballistic missiles), as well as the widespread use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) targeting administrative and industrial facilities.

The Patriot air defense system remains a central component of Switzerland's Air2030 program, which aims to integrate ground-based systems with F-35A fighter jets. Under contracts worth $2.2 billion, Switzerland has ordered five Patriot air defense systems, including AN/MPQ-65 radars and fire control stations.

However, in July 2025, Washington informed its partners of a shift in priorities for exporting the Patriot system, shifting towards Ukraine. The delivery schedule for Switzerland has now been postponed beyond 2030.

To reduce its dependence on the US military supply chain, Switzerland is seeking solutions from Europe to ensure more reliable access. Products being evaluated include the SAMP/T NG system (Eurosam, France/Italy) and the IRIS-T SLM system (Diehl Defence, Germany).

Source: https://congthuong.vn/iran-se-som-su-dung-lua-phong-tu-duoi-mat-nuoc-446628.html