Since mid‑June, the United States has reportedly expended approximately 80 THAAD interceptor missiles—roughly 20 percent of its global stock—to shield Israel from ballistic missile attacks during an 11‑day escalation in regional tensions.
 |
| The THAAD launcher was deployed to Israel by the United States in February 2019. Photo: US Army |
According to analysis by Newsweek, based on satellite footage and open‑source imagery captured over Amman, Jordan, between June 13 and 24, U.S. THAAD batteries launched at least 39 interceptors. Concurrently, Israel’s Arrow‑2 and Arrow‑3 systems fired a combined 43 interceptors in the same timeframe.
Sam Lair, a researcher at Middlebury College’s James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies, emphasized that 39 missile firings in fewer than two weeks represent a significant drain on a single THAAD battery, which typically holds up to 48 interceptors—suggesting near‑depletion of one launcher’s entire inventory.
Military Watch further estimates that total U.S. launches, including those unrecorded on camera, range from 60 to 80 interceptors over the 11‑day span.
💸 Soaring Costs, Slow Replenishment
• Each THAAD interceptor costs between $12 million and $15 million, according to Pentagon Missile Defense Agency budget records. The 39 confirmed launches alone incurred costs of $468 million to $600 million, with potential total expenses of $720 million to $1.2 billion for all launches.
• For fiscal 2025, the U.S. produced just 12 new THAAD interceptors, with plans to manufacture 32 in fiscal 2026. At this rate, it could take at least two years to restock the missiles expended in just under two weeks of combat operations .
🛡 Tactical Effectiveness vs. Strategic Viability
While THAAD has successfully intercepted numerous high-value targets, some trials have reportedly been inefficient or misdirected. Bulgarian Military’s Boyko Nikolov notes that during one engagement over Tel Aviv on June 18, several THAAD missiles were used to counter decoys or non-critical threats, suggesting potential tactical misfires.
Nikolov also highlights a cost imbalance: Iranian ballistic missiles cost under $1 million each, while interceptors like THAAD and Arrow systems run into the millions per shot. Such disparity underscores concerns about the long-term sustainability of THAAD‑reliant defenses in protracted conflicts .
🧭 Strategic Implications
These recent developments underline a growing need to explore more cost-effective missile defense alternatives. Deploying expensive systems like THAAD may prove unsustainable if future conflicts involve continuous waves of low-cost attacks.
The U.S. military has not publicly commented on the specific expenditure of interceptors in Israel. A Pentagon spokesperson declined to provide details on the estimates.
This account draws from Newsweek, analysis from open‑source footage, and expert assessments in Bulgarian Military and Military Watc
Comments
Post a Comment