One-quarter of U.S. missile defense wasted in 12 days for Israel

Business Insider reported that newly released budget documents provide fresh insight into the scale of U.S. military defense for the Israeli regime during Iran’s missile strikes amid Israel’s 12-day offensive in June.

One of the documents requests $498,265,000 in funding to replace U.S. Army Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) interceptor missiles expended to protect the Israeli regime.

The document explains: “This is a special case for Congress; it is an emergency budget requirement; U.S. lawmakers must approve any reallocation of funds.”

According to the U.S. Missile Defense Agency, each THAAD interceptor costs approximately $12.7 million.

Business Insider added that the sheer volume of missiles fired during the June conflict and in broader defense of Israel has sparked concerns about inadequate U.S. stockpiles.

Reports suggest that the U.S. fired between 100 and 150 THAAD interceptors during Israel’s assault on Iran to counter Iranian missile attacks.

Earlier, CNN, citing two informed sources, reported that the U.S. used about one-quarter of its advanced THAAD air defense missile inventory during the Israel-Iran war — a rate of consumption far exceeding production capacity and raising concerns about America’s global defensive readiness.

THAAD is an air defense system built by U.S. weapons manufacturer Lockheed Martin, designed to intercept short-, medium-, and intermediate-range ballistic missiles during their terminal flight phase.

Each THAAD interceptor costs about $12.7 million. A standard THAAD battery includes roughly 100 soldiers, a fire control and communications element, six truck-mounted launchers, and a radar system.

The U.S. Army operates seven THAAD batteries, with several deployed overseas. Washington used two of them to defend the Israeli regime against missile attacks from both Iran and Yemen.

According to the report, the THAAD systems underwent their most intensive operations during the 12-day Israeli assault on Iran, when Iran launched hundreds of ballistic missiles toward the occupied territories. During that period, the U.S. fired between 100 and 150 THAAD interceptors to shield Israel from Iranian attacks.