Exclusive: US THAAD Air Defense System Proves Effective in Israel Downing Six Houthi Missiles.

The United States' Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system, deployed in Israel since October 2024, has demonstrated its operational effectiveness by intercepting multiple missile threats originating from Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels. According to information published on March 30, 2025, by the Clash Report X account, the THAAD air defense missile system has successfully intercepted six Houthi missiles aimed at Israel to date.
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A U.S. Army Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) launcher positioned in Israel, ready for operation, March 4, 2019. (Picture source: U.S. DoD)

The decision by the United States to deploy the THAAD (Terminal High Altitude Area Defense) air defense missile system to Israel was made in response to escalating regional threats. On October 13, 2024, U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin authorized the deployment of a THAAD battery and approximately 100 military personnel to bolster Israel's air defense capabilities following unprecedented ballistic missile attacks by Iran on April 13 and October 1, 2024. This move underscored the United States' commitment to Israel's defense and the protection of American personnel in the region.

The THAAD system is a key component of the U.S. military's layered missile defense strategy. It is designed to intercept and destroy short, medium, and intermediate-range ballistic missiles during their terminal phase of flight. Developed by Lockheed Martin, THAAD entered operational service with the U.S. Army in 2008 and has since been deployed in several strategic locations around the world, including Guam, South Korea, and the United Arab Emirates.

THAAD employs hit-to-kill technology, using kinetic energy to physically destroy an incoming threat, thereby minimizing the risk of explosion and collateral damage. Unlike systems that rely on fragmentation warheads, THAAD does not carry explosives and instead relies on direct impact for target neutralization. Each THAAD battery includes up to nine M1075 truck-mounted launchers, each capable of carrying eight interceptors.

A key component of the system is the AN/TPY-2 X-band radar, which provides long-range detection and tracking of ballistic missile threats. The radar can operate in two modes: forward-based mode, to detect missiles during their boost phase, and terminal mode, to guide interceptors to their targets in the terminal phase. The system also includes a Fire Control and Communications (TFCC) unit, which manages engagement planning and interceptor firing.

THAAD can intercept threats both within and outside the atmosphere at altitudes of up to 150 km (about 93 miles) and has an effective range of approximately 200 km (124 miles). Its high-altitude interception capability provides a unique advantage in intercepting warheads before they can release submunitions or decoys, and it can be integrated with other missile defense systems such as the Patriot and Aegis systems for layered coverage.

In recent weeks, the Houthi rebels have intensified their missile attacks against Israel, claiming solidarity with Hamas amid renewed conflicts in Gaza. On March 24, 2025, a ballistic missile launched from Yemen triggered air raid sirens across central Israel, including Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) reported that the missile was intercepted before entering Israeli airspace, with debris falling in the Beit Shemesh area. This marked the sixth Houthi attack on Israel within a week.

The Houthi rebels have employed various missile types in their attacks, including the "Palestine-2" ballistic missile, which they claim was used to target Ben Gurion International Airport. Additionally, reports indicate the use of hypersonic missiles aimed at Israeli targets, signaling a growing sophistication in the group’s missile capabilities and a rising threat level to Israeli national security.

The deployment of the U.S. THAAD air defense missile system in Israel has significantly enhanced the nation's missile defense posture, providing a critical layer of protection against regional threats. The system's recent success in intercepting multiple Houthi-launched missiles underscores its operational effectiveness and the strategic importance of U.S.-Israel defense cooperation in maintaining regional stability.