US deploys THAAD missile in Israel

The United States has deployed its advanced THAAD missile defence system temporarily to Israel for a joint military exercise, the first of its kind, officials said yesterday. The two countries confirmed the deployment, with Israel’s military stressing it was “not related to any specific current event”.

It is the first such exercise in Israel, although the two allies hold regular joint war games. No dates have been announced for the manoeuvres. Israel has its own missile defence system, but the exercise aims in part to examine how to incorporate THAAD so that “we are ready for any challenges in the future”, military spokesman Jonathan Conricus said.