Will US-installed 'THAAD' protect Israel from Hamas and Iran?

The United States (US) has installed the advanced anti-missile system, THAAD (Terminal High Altitude Area Defense), in Israel to bolster its defence capabilities.

The move follows the Iranian ballistic missile attack on Israel earlier this month. US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin confirmed that the system will be operational soon, as per plan.

The advanced missile defence system, manufactured by US aerospace company Lockheed Martin, is designed to intercept short-, medium-, and intermediate-range ballistic missiles.

Its interceptors have a range of 150 to 200 kilometres and can neutralise missiles inside and outside the atmosphere of the earth.

The system is composed of 95 soldiers, six truck-mounted launchers, 48 interceptors, a radar system, and a fire control and communications component.

However, experts note that THAAD has limitations, particularly against smaller, low-altitude threats like drones employed by Hamas and Yemen's Houthis.

The cost of a single THAAD battery ranges from $1 billion to $1.8 billion.

Currently, Israel’s air defences have The Iron Dome David’s Sling and Arrow systems 

Iron Dome can intercept short-range missiles from 4 to 70km, David’s Sling intercepts medium-range missiles from 40 to 300km, and the Arrow system can intercept long-range missiles up to 2,400km away.