THAAD Missile Defense System: What Does the Upcoming Middle East Deployment Mean for South Korea?

 
Signs are growing that U.S. Forces Korea’s THAAD (Terminal High Altitude Area Defense) interceptor missiles may soon be sent to the Middle East, though the launcher vehicles have returned to Seongju.
 
On the 11th, military sources said six THAAD launcher vehicles that had recently moved from the Seongju base in North Gyeongsang Province to Osan Air Base left only the interceptor missiles at Osan before returning to Seongju.
 
The interceptors remain at Osan for now, but U.S. heavy airlifters such as the C-5 or C-17 are expected to load them soon for transport to the Middle East.
 
Earlier, the Washington Post reported on March 9, citing two officials, that the U.S. Department of Defense is moving elements of the THAAD system from South Korea to the Middle East.
 
THAAD is the only high-altitude missile-defense system deployed on the Korean Peninsula, with an engagement envelope of roughly 40–150 km (about 25–93 miles). A single THAAD battery operates at the Seongju base.
 
A THAAD battery comprises a fire-control unit, radar and six launcher vehicles. Each launcher carries eight tubes, so one battery is equipped with 48 interceptors.
 
Even if interceptors are shipped to the Middle East, the launchers and radar are reported to remain at Seongju. Officials also say spare interceptors are stored at Camp Carroll, the U.S. base in Chilgok, North Gyeongsang Province.
 
Meanwhile, the Blue House said it is not appropriate for the government to comment on U.S.–ROK force operations. It added that, regardless of any overseas movement of some U.S. assets, South Korea’s military capabilities, defense spending, defense-industry capacity and high troop morale ensure that its deterrent posture against North Korea remains sound.