The THAAD (Terminal High Altitude Area Defense) is a Missile Defense system. It works on the model of depending on the interceptor’s kinetic energy to destroy the enemy missiles.

In this article, we shall discuss the Background, Capabilities, Vulnerability Assessment and Popularity of the THAAD Missile System. The opposition to THAAD by China shall also be explained in this article.

This is a significant topic for the UPSC IAS aspirants and will be helpful for them in their upcoming preliminary and main examinations.

What is THAAD (Terminal High Altitude Area Defense)?

THAAD is an acronym for Terminal High Altitude Area Defense System, which was earlier known as Theater High Altitude Area Defense System. It is an American key element of the anti-ballistic missile defense system for short, medium, and intermediate-range ballistic missiles.

It is an interoperable missile system that intercepts ballistic missiles during their final phase of flight. The Terminal High Altitude Area Defense works on hit-to-kill technology, which means its interceptor does not carry any separate warhead with it. Instead, it relies on its Kinetic Energy to destroy incoming missiles.

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Background of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense

The Terminal High Altitude Area Defense system was first proposed in 1987. After the experience of Iraq’s Scud missile attacks during the Gulf War in 1991, Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) was developed by Lockheed Martin, an American aerospace company. Its deployment was scheduled in the year 2012, but it took place in May 2008.

The Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) made its first operational interception on 17 January 2022 in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and destroyed a mid-range ballistic missile during an attack by Houthi militants in Abu Dhabi.

Source: IISS

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How does THAAD Work?

The THAAD system uses kinetic energy to destroy incoming missiles. It does not carry a warhead, so it does not explode. This reduces the risk of explosion of the conventional warhead ballistic missile. A nuclear-tipped ballistic missile does not explode on impact. But a biological or chemical warhead could explode and contaminate the environment. THAAD was designed to target Scuds and similar missiles.

Vulnerability Assessment of THAAD

• The Vulnerability Assessment of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense System is conducted by the US Army Research Laboratory.
• The assessment for Major electromagnetic elements of the THAAD, such as EM radiation operations, EM Pulse, Electrostatic discharge and lighting effects, etc., was conducted.
• The THAAD vulnerability assessment could determine the survivability analysis against threats such as conventional weapons, chemical weapons, and electronic warfare countermeasures.

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Why is China Opposing THAAD?

As per the announcement, the USA has deployed missile defense systems, including THAAD, in South Korea as a countermeasure against potential attacks by North Korea, as North Korea had been engaged in the testing of Ballistic Missiles.

Further, North Korea test-fired a few missiles in the direction of the US Base in Japan, which made the USA shift its defense systems towards its Base in Japan.

• The geographical conditions of South Korea and Japan are not suitable for China in terms of having a relationship between South Korea and Japan with the USA.
• China does not have any issues with the THAAD missile system deployed by the USA in South Korea. China is affected by the radar coverage of THAAD, which can track the activities of China.
• As the geographical position of South Korea and Japan lies in East Asia, China is insecure about having the presence of the USA in the region through its military bases in South Korea and Japan.
• China is worried about interference from America in its military, diplomatic and economic interest in the region through influence in the bases in South Korea and Japan.

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Effects on South Korea

• China has imposed economic sanctions on South Korea in response to the THAAD deployment. These sanctions have had a negative impact on the South Korean economy. Some of them include:
  • restricting Chinese tourists from visiting South Korea and 
  • boycotting South Korean businesses. 
• The THAAD deployment has also led to a deterioration of relations between South Korea and China. China has accused South Korea of siding with the United States against China. It has warned that the THAAD deployment could lead to a military conflict between China and the United States.
• The THAAD deployment has also increased tensions on the Korean Peninsula. North Korea has threatened to retaliate against South Korea and the United States. It has conducted many missile tests in response.
• The THAAD deployment has also caused domestic political divisions in South Korea. Some South Koreans support the deployment. They argue that it is necessary to protect the country from North Korea's missile threat. Others oppose the deployment. They argue that it is unnecessary and will damage relations with China.

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Which Countries have THAAD?

THAAD is an American-based missile system. However, a number of countries have expressed interest in deploying this new missile defense system.

Concluding Remarks

An Anti-Ballistic missile is a Surface to air missile designed to destroy or counter Ballistic missiles before they reach their target.

The Terminal High Altitude Area, Defense missile system is one of the major missile defense systems acquired by only a few of the countries. Because of its importance in the Defense field, Ukraine requested the USA to deploy the THAAD mobile defense system with radars near Kharkiv, a city in Ukraine, to counter Russia.

The THAAD missile system is highly mobile, making it capable of being deployable worldwide.

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