"At the direction of the Secretary of Defense, US European Command deployed a THAAD system to Israel in early March," the statement said.
The move is intended to demonstrate the United States' ongoing commitment to Israel's security, the statement added.
@US_EUCOM deploys THAAD system to Israel. @USArmyEurope @IDF https://t.co/YvvXnVrPXT pic.twitter.com/Jq5CWdzlgy
— U.S European Command (@US_EUCOM) March 4, 2019
As part of the deployment, US service members will work in different locations in Israel to help local military forces align their existing air and missile defence architecture with the THAAD system.
The @US_EUCOM is currently conducting a missile defense system (THAAD) exercise deployment in Israel, which is part of US efforts to implement its operational concept & mission to assist in Israel’s aerial defense. pic.twitter.com/e9z3vOLiJv
— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) March 4, 2019
The exercise will allow the US military to incorporate key capabilities stationed in the country and Europe with its partners in the Israeli military, EUCOM said.
#BREAKING US army deploys THAAD system in #Israel, during an exercise. for the first time pic.twitter.com/aKzojhYn9v
— Guy Elster (@guyelster) March 4, 2019
The THAAD system, considered one of the most advanced in the world, will be added to the existing Israeli air defence. The latter currently includes the Iron Dome, designed to shoot down short-range rockets and the Arrow system.
Commenting on the exercise, IDF Spokesperson Brig.-Gen. Ronen Manelis specified the US anti-ballistic missile battery would be deployed in the south of the country and that about 200 American servicemen would participate in the drills.
