Iran has destroyed a powerful radar belonging to the United States’ Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system, according to a US official, dealing a significant blow to Washington’s missile defense capability in the Middle East.
The AN/TPY-2 radar, valued at around $300 million, was stationed at Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan. The damage was recently confirmed through analysis of satellite imagery, which showed the radar and its supporting equipment destroyed.
According to the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, two Iranian attacks were reported in Jordan on February 28 and March 3. While the attacks were initially claimed to have been intercepted, commercial satellite images later revealed evidence of destruction at the radar site.
Military analysts say the successful strike on the THAAD radar could be considered one of Iran’s most significant recent military achievements.
The THAAD (Terminal High Altitude Area Defense) system is designed to intercept ballistic missiles at the edge of the atmosphere. With the radar now disabled, the primary missile defense responsibility in the area may fall on the Patriot system.
However, concerns are growing as stocks of PAC-3 interceptor missiles used by the Patriot system are already limited.
Missile defense expert Tom Karako noted that the United States currently possesses only eight THAAD units worldwide, each costing around $1 billion, with the radar alone valued at $300 million.
He added that although a 2012 plan called for at least nine THAAD units, the current number remains below that target, and no additional replacement radar is immediately available.
A standard THAAD battery typically includes about 90 personnel, six truck-mounted launchers, 48 interceptor missiles, and one AN/TPY-2 radar. Each interceptor missile costs roughly $13 million to produce.
Experts warn that ongoing Iranian drone and ballistic missile attacks in the Middle East are rapidly depleting supplies of these advanced interceptors.
Amid the growing concerns, the Pentagon held talks at the White House on Friday with major defense contractors such as Lockheed Martin and RTX to accelerate weapons production.
Earlier, another US early-warning radar in Qatar was also damaged in an Iranian attack, adding pressure on Washington to reassess its military strategy in the region as multiple radar and defense assets become targets.
