Houthi Missiles Target Israel: A Clash of Defense Titans – Arrow vs THAAD

Washington: On Sunday, Houthi rebels launched two ballistic missiles targeting Israel from Yemen. As soon as news of the missile launch reached Israel, sirens went off, and people were advised to take shelter in bunkers and safe homes. Thousands of Israeli citizens took refuge in these secure locations. However, shortly after, both Israeli Arrow missile systems and the US THAAD missile system intercepted and destroyed the missiles. The debris from the missiles was found scattered on the ground in Israel’s Hebron region. This raises the question: which missile interception system, Israeli Arrow or US THAAD, is more costly?

Why Did the US Deploy THAAD in Israel?

The United States deployed the THAAD missile defense system in Israel last October. This decision was made due to fears within the Biden administration that Iran might launch a significant missile attack on Israel. To strengthen Israel’s air defense capabilities, the US decided to deploy THAAD in the region. THAAD is as powerful as Israel’s Arrow system but is quite different in design and operation. Both systems were developed after the Gulf War in 1991 when the Patriot system failed to stop Iraqi Scud missiles.

Development History of Arrow and THAAD Systems

The Patriot system was originally developed as an anti-aircraft system but was later modified to intercept ballistic missiles. After its poor performance during the Gulf War, both the US and Israel realized the need for a dedicated system. Israel’s Aerospace Industries (IAI) developed the Arrow 2 system, while Lockheed Martin developed the THAAD system for the US military.

However, the development of Arrow wasn’t always smooth, as the system experienced multiple failures during testing. Similarly, the development of THAAD was slow due to more failures. As a result, the Arrow system was handed over to the Israeli Air Force in 1998 and entered service in 2000, while THAAD entered service in 2008.

Key Differences Between Arrow and THAAD Systems

While both missile defense systems have the same goal—intercepting ballistic missiles—their methods of operation and costs differ significantly. The Israeli Arrow system destroys a missile by getting close to it and releasing a burst of hot metal fragments, whereas the US THAAD system focuses on a “hit-to-kill” approach, meaning the missile intercepts its target directly without the need for an explosive warhead. The THAAD system requires high precision for tracking and targeting the missile but eliminates the need for a warhead.

Read More: Leonidas vs. Drones: A Game-Changer in High-Speed Combat

Similar Speeds, But Different Designs and Weights

Both missile defense systems can reach speeds of 9,000-10,000 km/h. However, THAAD is lighter, making it easier to transport via cargo planes to conflict zones. In contrast, the Israeli Arrow system is heavier as it was designed to protect fixed locations in Israel or be deployed to new sites via trucks.

A Significant Cost Difference

The most notable difference between the two systems is their cost. Each Arrow interceptor costs between $2-3 million, while a THAAD interceptor costs about $12-15 million. This price difference is one reason why only countries like the UAE and Saudi Arabia, who can afford the high cost, have purchased THAAD systems. Germany evaluated both the Arrow 3 and THAAD systems but ultimately chose the Israeli Arrow system.

First Operational Interception by THAAD

THAAD made its first operational interception in January 2022 in the UAE when it was used to intercept a missile launched by the Houthis. While THAAD doesn’t offer Israel any additional capabilities beyond what the Arrow system already provides, it does enhance Israel’s air defense capabilities. The additional interception system strengthens the Israeli Air Force’s ability to intercept larger missile barrages, especially those that might come from Iran.

Read More: Iran Warns of Destruction of Diego Garcia if US Attacks