The US fired $500 million in top interceptors defending Israel from missile attacks, new documents show

"The recently released budget documents offer new insight into the extent of the US military's defense of Israel and also the weapons that American forces used during their extensive bombing of Iran's nuclear facilities in June. One document requests $498.265 million in funding to replace the US Army's Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missile interceptors that were "expended in support of Israel.""

"THAAD is an air defense system made by the US defense contractor Lockheed Martin that is designed to intercept short-, medium-, and intermediate-range ballistic missiles during the final phase of flight. THAAD is among the most advanced ground-based air defense assets that US forces operate. It has a long reach, able to engage targets at ranges of 93 to 124 miles both inside and outside the atmosphere. The weapon intercepts an inbound missile by striking it directly rather than exploding nearby."

"The US Army began developing THAAD in the early 1990s. It entered service in 2008 and was first used in combat by troops from the United Arab Emirates in 2022 against a ballistic missile launched by the Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen. A standard THAAD battery includes around 100 soldiers, a fire control and communications element, six truck-mounted launchers, and an advanced radar."

U.S. forces expended approximately $500 million worth of THAAD interceptor missiles while defending Israel from attacks by Iran and other regional adversaries. Pentagon budget documents request $498.265 million to replace THAAD interceptors listed as "expended in support of Israel," and label the request an emergency congressional special interest item requiring lawmakers' approval. THAAD interceptors are designed to strike incoming short-, medium- and intermediate-range ballistic missiles during their final flight phase, engaging targets up to about 93–124 miles and operating both inside and outside the atmosphere. A standard THAAD battery includes roughly 100 soldiers, fire-control and communications elements, six truck-mounted launchers, and an advanced radar.

Read at Business Insider