Iran has dealt a significant blow to the US military, destroying a $300 million radar system crucial for directing missile defense batteries in the Gulf.
The AN/TPY-2 radar, part of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system, was destroyed at Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan, according to a US official and satellite imagery.
This radar system was a key component of the THAAD battery, providing critical tracking data to guide interceptors and detect incoming ballistic threats. Its loss is a huge blow, given the US has only eight THAAD systems globally, and the Army’s current force is below the required nine batteries set in 2012.
The destruction of this radar shifts interception duties to Patriot systems, which are already facing a shortage of PAC-3 missiles. Experts warn that air and missile defense systems in the Gulf are stressed and overwhelmed by Iranian attacks, raising concerns about stockpiles of advanced interceptors running low.
