April 20, 2024
Economy
US moves to deploy key parts of THAAD
[THE INVESTOR] The US Forces Korea on April 26 brought launchers, a radar and other key parts of its advanced missile defense system to the site where it is to be deployed, in a surprise move to accelerate its deployment amid heightened tension on the peninsula.
Some 20 trailers carrying key components of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense system were spotted entering the site in Seongju, North Gyeongsang Province. Although covered by plastic boxes and wrapping, they were believed to include a radar, launchers, interceptors, a fire control and communications unit, a power generator and a cooler.
Since South Korea handed over the site to the USFK and decided to forgo the construction of facilities needed for the site, the deployment process is widely expected to end as early as next month, military officials said.
“Today’s measure is aimed to secure operational capability by moving some of the available THAAD components to the site,” the Defense Ministry said in a statement. “It is the deployment of some THAAD parts without carrying out a separate construction process.”
Reiterating that THAAD is a “defensive weapon system,” the Pentagon said in a statement that the deployment is a “critical measure” to defend South Korea and its alliance forces against North Korea’s nuclear and ballistic missile programs.
Although it was not clear exactly how many launchers were deployed, putting THAAD into operation is “only a matter of time” because the task that remains is to connect the launchers to other supporting system, analysts suggested.
The ministry pledged to proceed with the remaining procedure for the deployment “as scheduled,” saying THAAD would be fully operational by the end of this year. The remaining procedure includes an inspection of environmental impact and the construction of relevant facilities.
A THAAD battery is comprised of five major components: six truck-mounted launchers, 48 interceptors, a fire control and communications unit, an AN/TPY-2 radar and support equipment. The one in the US’ Guam base, however, has four launchers.
Starting from around midnight, the USFK began the process of moving the THAAD components to the Seongju site, according to the local residents. South Korea’s police have also cordoned off roads leading to the small county.
The measures led to a violent clash with activists and residents, who have vehemently opposed the THAAD deployment since the government announced the plan to station the weapon system at a golf course in Seongju, which was previously owned by local conglomerate Lotte.
About 10 people were injured and several were arrested for the use of violence during the protest, according to the group in Seongju who opposes the THAAD deployment. Some residents staged a street rally and marched toward the police in protest, according to reports.
The US began moving the first elements of THAAD into South Korea in early March, after North Korea test-fired a ballistic missile. The THAAD units will be under the command of the 35th Air Defense Artillery Brigade of the US Army.
By Yeo Jun-suk/The Korea Herald (jasonyeo@heraldcorp.com)
Some 20 trailers carrying key components of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense system were spotted entering the site in Seongju, North Gyeongsang Province. Although covered by plastic boxes and wrapping, they were believed to include a radar, launchers, interceptors, a fire control and communications unit, a power generator and a cooler.
Since South Korea handed over the site to the USFK and decided to forgo the construction of facilities needed for the site, the deployment process is widely expected to end as early as next month, military officials said.
“Today’s measure is aimed to secure operational capability by moving some of the available THAAD components to the site,” the Defense Ministry said in a statement. “It is the deployment of some THAAD parts without carrying out a separate construction process.”
Reiterating that THAAD is a “defensive weapon system,” the Pentagon said in a statement that the deployment is a “critical measure” to defend South Korea and its alliance forces against North Korea’s nuclear and ballistic missile programs.
Although it was not clear exactly how many launchers were deployed, putting THAAD into operation is “only a matter of time” because the task that remains is to connect the launchers to other supporting system, analysts suggested.
The ministry pledged to proceed with the remaining procedure for the deployment “as scheduled,” saying THAAD would be fully operational by the end of this year. The remaining procedure includes an inspection of environmental impact and the construction of relevant facilities.
A THAAD battery is comprised of five major components: six truck-mounted launchers, 48 interceptors, a fire control and communications unit, an AN/TPY-2 radar and support equipment. The one in the US’ Guam base, however, has four launchers.
Starting from around midnight, the USFK began the process of moving the THAAD components to the Seongju site, according to the local residents. South Korea’s police have also cordoned off roads leading to the small county.
The measures led to a violent clash with activists and residents, who have vehemently opposed the THAAD deployment since the government announced the plan to station the weapon system at a golf course in Seongju, which was previously owned by local conglomerate Lotte.
About 10 people were injured and several were arrested for the use of violence during the protest, according to the group in Seongju who opposes the THAAD deployment. Some residents staged a street rally and marched toward the police in protest, according to reports.
The US began moving the first elements of THAAD into South Korea in early March, after North Korea test-fired a ballistic missile. The THAAD units will be under the command of the 35th Air Defense Artillery Brigade of the US Army.
By Yeo Jun-suk/The Korea Herald (jasonyeo@heraldcorp.com)
