How Strikes on Radar Can Reshape Regional Security

Iran has attacked an American missile defense radar in Jordan, which has now reportedly been damaged beyond repair, according to satellite imagery taken after the attack. The attack occurred at Muwaffaq Salti Air Base and involved a system that was responsible for directing THAAD missiles to their targets. This system is estimated at $300 Million. Analysts have said the destruction of this system was very important strategically to the United States. It was also determined that this system had been an AN/TPY-2 Radar, which is responsible for directing interceptors toward incoming ballistic missiles.

The attacks from Iran have been reported to have taken place on February 28 and March 3, 2018. Both attacks targeted the same location of the air base in Jordan. Analysts also think the radar supported regional defense operations, so losing it will create a gap in defense coverage. Ryan Brobst, an analyst with the Institute, weighed in on this event by saying, “If successful…one of Iran’s most successful attacks.”

THAAD system plays a central role in missile defence

The Terminal High Altitude Area Defense System (THAAD) provides high-altitude, long-range missile defense by intercepting incoming missiles from either within or outside of the atmosphere. THAAD provides an effective solution to complex long-range missile threats handled by the THAAD System. In contrast to THAAD, Patriot missile systems provide lower altitude, short-range missile defence. The combination of THAAD and Patriot systems establishes an important upper-layer missile defence system.

A THAAD battery includes many components: launchers, interceptors, and command systems. For example, a standard THAAD battery contains six truck-mounted launchers and 48 interceptor missiles that have an average cost of $13 million each. In addition, the THAAD battery contains a TPY-2 radar unit; approximately 90 soldiers man the battery, but the radar directs targeting and tracking operations. In the event that THAAD batteries do not have a radar, the coordination of THAAD defence may become problematic, making the radar an important asset, according to analysts.

Defence networks face strain across the Gulf after the THAAD radar attack

At the same time, Gulf defence systems continue to experience an increase in the number of threats that they encounter, such as missile and drone attacks executed from Iran that are targeting multiple locations across the region, resulting in a growing demand for interception capabilities. Analysts are indicating that there will soon be a reduction in interceptor stockpiles. The PAC-3 interceptor supply levels are currently low. As a result, there will be a growing operational burden placed on the Patriot system.

Tom Karako noted the strategic dilemma by stating, “These are scarce strategic resources.” Currently, the U.S. has eight THAAD batteries in operation around the world, with nine originally planned under military doctrine; as such, spare units are at a critically low level of availability. Strikes against past radar systems in Qatar have also reduced early warning and detection capabilities for the United States. As a result of these actions, the defence industrial base has increased its production of missiles, and the Pentagon has held meetings with defence contractors at the White House. As such, the U.S. government is looking for a means by which to increase the production capacity of weapons. Analysts warn that the THAAD radar attack demonstrates how targeting early-warning systems can weaken entire missile defence networks.

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