U.S. Troops' THAAD System in South Korea to Be Deployed to the Middle East
Reference News Network reported on March 13 According to Yonhap News Agency on March 11, a Yonhap reporter learned that the intercept missiles of the U.S. THAAD missile defense system stationed in South Korea are about to be transferred to the Middle East.
According to a comprehensive interview by Yonhap on the 11th, six THAAD launchers that recently departed from the Seongju base in North Gyeongsang Province will unload intercept missiles at the Osan base in Gyeonggi Province before returning. Each launcher can carry up to 8 intercept missiles, so if all six launchers are fully loaded with 8 missiles, a total of 48 missiles will be transferred to the Osan base. It is reported that this batch of missiles is likely to be transported to the Middle East soon via U.S. C-5 or C-17 large transport aircraft.
The Washington Post, citing U.S. government officials on the 9th local time, stated that the U.S. Department of Defense is transferring some THAAD systems from South Korea to the Middle East. Even if the THAAD intercept missiles are moved to the Middle East, the Seongju base will still have launchers and radar equipment. It is reported that some intercept missiles are also stored at the U.S. military base "Camp Carroll" in Chilgok County, North Gyeongsang Province.
Since the U.S. and Israel launched airstrikes against Iran on the 28th of last month, there have been ongoing opinions suggesting that the missile defense systems under the U.S. forces in South Korea will be moved to the Middle East to replace damaged U.S. equipment and fill the missile gap. On the 10th, South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol stated during a State Council meeting at the Blue House that even if the U.S. forces in South Korea are redeployed, South Korea's deterrence on the Korean Peninsula will not be seriously affected.
According to a report by the U.S. Stars and Stripes website on March 11, South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol opposes the transfer of U.S. air defense systems from South Korea to the Middle East.
On the 10th, Yoon Suk-yeol said at the State Council meeting: "While we oppose the possible redeployment of some U.S. air defense assets, the reality is that we cannot fully implement our position."
The Washington Post quoted unnamed officials as saying that the Pentagon is transferring some components of the THAAD missile defense system deployed in South Korea to the Middle East. These officials also stated that the U.S. military is reallocating Patriot intercept missiles from the Indo-Pacific region to counter the drone and missile threats from Iran.
The Wall Street Journal quoted an unnamed U.S. official as saying that the U.S. is urgently replacing a THAAD missile defense system radar in the Middle East. This radar was damaged in the drone attacks launched by Iran, and it is crucial for intercepting ballistic missiles. (Translated by Yang Xinpeng)
Pentagon (AFP file photo)
U.S. Forces Korea is transferring six THAAD launchers, potentially carrying 48 interceptors, from Seongju to Uisung Base in Gyeonggi Province, South Korea, for deployment to the Middle East. This move follows recent airstrikes by the U.S. and Israel against Iran, with the Pentagon reallocating resources to counter threats in the region. Despite opposition from South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol, the transfer is proceeding as part of U.S. military logistics.
- U.S. THAAD interceptors are being transferred from South Korea to the Middle East.
- Six THAAD launchers are involved in the transfer, potentially carrying 48 interceptors.
- The interceptors may be transported via C-5 or C-17 aircraft.
- The South Korean President expressed opposition to the transfer but acknowledged the reality of the situation.
- The Pentagon is reallocating THAAD components to address threats in the Middle East.