File image.
Iran managed to hit both of the United Arab Emirates’ Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) systems, according to satellite images released on March 3.
The images show direct hits at the two sites housing the American-made anti-missile systems. Both are located close to the capital, Abu Dhabi. In the first site, a hangar where the system’s AN/TPY-2 radar is usually stored appears to have been destroyed. Two more hits can be seen in the second site, including one near where the radar is typically deployed.
Click to see full-size image.
Click to see full-size image.
These two are the only two THAAD known to be in service with the UAE military. They were purchased around ten years ago.
The THAAD was designed to shoot down short, medium, and intermediate-range ballistic missiles in their terminal phase by intercepting with a hit-to-kill approach.
The system can engage missiles at ranges of 150 to 200 kilometers. Typically, each system consists of six truck-mounted launchers, 48 interceptors, at least one AN/TPY-2 long-range surveillance radar, radio equipment, and requires 95 soldiers to operate.
A THAAD system could cost anywhere from $1 to $3 billion. The cost of the AN/TPY-2 radar alone could be as high as $500 million. Meanwhile, a single interceptor costs just over $12.7 million.
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps announced that it had targeted both Emirate systems soon after the United States and Israel attacked the Islamic Republic.
The UAE took the brunt of Iranian retaliatory attacks. On March 3, the country’s ministry of defense stated that since the beginning of the war, a total of 186 ballistic missiles have been detected as launched towards its territories. Of these, 172 missiles were destroyed, 13 fell into the sea, and one missile landed on the country’s territory.
The ministry added that 812 Iranian drones were detected, of which 755 were intercepted, while 57 fell within the country. It also reported that eight cruise missiles were detected and destroyed.
These attacks resulted in casualties, including three fatalities of Pakistani, Nepalese and Bangladeshi nationals, as well as 68 minor injuries among Emirati, Egyptian, Ethiopian, Filipino, Pakistani, Iranian, Indian, Bangladeshi, Sri Lankan, Azerbaijani, Yemeni, Ugandan, Eritrean, Lebanese and Afghan nationals.
A serious attack took place right after the ministry shared its summary, with drones impacting the United States consulate in the city of Dubai.
The Dubai media office said that no injuries have been reported following a “drone-related incident” around the U.S. consulate.
“Dubai authorities have confirmed that a fire resulting from a drone-related incident near the US Consulate has been successfully contained,” the media office said in a social media post. “Emergency teams responded immediately. No injuries have been reported.”
Amid this escalation, Axios reported that the UAE is considering taking military action to stop Iranian missile and drone attacks on its territories.
“The UAE is considering taking active defensive measures against Iran. Although it has not been involved in the war in any way, it has still endured 800 projectiles,” a source familiar with Emirati policy discussions told the news website. .
“The view in the UAE is that no country in the world would fail to evaluate its defensive posture under such circumstances,” the source added.
Meanwhile, foreign ministry of the country said in a statement that the “UAE retains its right to self-defense.” The ministry added that the country “has not taken any decision to alter its defensive posture in response to the repeated Iranian attacks.”
The UAE is considered one of the U.S’ top allies, and out of all Arabian countries in the Gulf, it has the closest relations with Israel. Still, it is highly unlikely that Abu Dhabi will act on its own. The most likely scenario is for Arabian countries to form their own coalition and launch their own operation against the Islamic Republic.
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my americunt peasants–stupid feminized cowards—humiliated by iran
p.r.north korea just stated that it will send ‘as necessary missiles to i.r.iran, and one missile could be enough to destry them all.’ so, basically if you need a nuke, there you have it.