The United States is unlikely to supply the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) ballistic missile defense system to Ukraine, military analyst Igor Korotchenko told Russian state news agency TASS on October 15.
Earlier, on October 13, the US Department of Defense confirmed the transfer of THAAD - one of the most advanced missile defense technologies in the world - to Israel to repel a potential missile attack by Iran on Washington's close ally amid escalating tensions in the Middle East.
A Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) ballistic missile defense system is deployed in 2023 in Guam during a multinational joint military exercise. Photo: NY Times
THAAD is an advanced missile defense system that uses a combination of radar and interceptors to intercept short-, medium-, and high-altitude ballistic missiles. THAAD missiles have a range of 150-200 km (93-124 miles), and the system is manufactured by US defense and aerospace giant Lockheed Martin.
THAAD can intercept missiles inside and outside Earth's atmosphere during their terminal phase of flight, which begins when the detachable warhead reenters Earth's atmosphere and ends when it explodes, according to the Center for Arms Control and Nonproliferation.
According to an April report by the Congressional Research Service, THAAD batteries typically consist of 95 troops, six truck-mounted launchers, 48 interceptors—eight per launcher—a radar system, and a fire control and communications component. The number of launchers and interceptors can vary.
“I can hardly imagine that the Americans will supply the THAAD anti-missile system to Ukraine. The latest data allows us to say that we have an effective means of countering such systems: a reconnaissance-strike complex that allows detecting and destroying the most advanced and traditional Western missile defense systems,” said military analyst Korotchenko.
"If the THAAD missile defense system is destroyed by the Russian armed forces, it could tarnish the reputation and image of the United States. That is why it seems that the THAAD missile defense system will not be transferred to Ukraine," the Russian expert said.
According to another military analyst, Mikhail Khodarenok, Ukraine will never receive the expensive THAAD system for fear of technology leaks.
"THAAD is a complex that has some of the capabilities of a strategic missile defense system. Firstly, it is a very expensive complex. Secondly, it can cause leaks of important technologies. This is what the US is afraid of," said Mr. Khodarenok.
"All the weapons that are being delivered to Ukraine are being exported. None of the advanced technologies in the equipment delivered to Ukraine are unique to US systems. For these reasons, I do not think that the THAAD system will be delivered to Ukraine," Khodarenok stressed.
At the same time, Korotchenko pointed out that Western countries will continue to supply Ukraine with older versions of the Patriot missile system or European IRIS-T and NASAMS systems. According to the military analyst, the anti-missile characteristics of the Patriot system are limited.
"The Russian reconnaissance strike complex allows to increase the effectiveness of strikes aimed at destroying the Patriot systems produced by the United States and transferred to Ukraine," Korotchenko said.
Minh Duc (According to TASS, Al Jazeera)
Source: https://www.nguoiduatin.vn/kho-co-kha-nang-my-cung-cap-he-thong-thaad-cho-ukraine-nhu-da-lam-voi-israel-204241015204516849.htm
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