Officialization of Performance Improvement Equipment Entry at Seongju THAAD Base

When THAAD Performance is Improved, Integrated Operation with Patriot Missiles Becomes Possible

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Yang Nak-gyu, Military Specialist Reporter] The US Forces Korea has brought equipment to the Seongju THAAD base to enhance interoperability between the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system and the Patriot system.

On the 7th, the Ministry of National Defense explained in the "Joint US-ROK Press Release on the Performance Improvement of the USFK THAAD System" that "the equipment brought in is not for additional deployment of the THAAD system, and the existing equipment in operation will be replaced with improved equipment and then shipped back to the United States."

The ROK-US alliance expects that this performance improvement will enhance the defensive capabilities of the existing THAAD system, protecting the people of the Republic of Korea from North Korea's missile threats and further strengthening defense capabilities for critical assets.

Mark A. Holler, Deputy Commander of Operations for US Eighth Army, stated, "With this THAAD system performance improvement, the ROK-US alliance is better prepared to respond to the advanced nuclear and missile threats from North Korea," emphasizing, "The defensive asset, the THAAD system, will not infringe upon the strategic and security interests of neighboring countries."

Once the THAAD performance improvement program (Joint Emergency Operational Need, JEON) is completed, the interception altitudes of THAAD (40?150 km), responsible for upper and lower layer defense, and Patriot (below 40 km) will be integrated and operated, eliminating blind spots and enabling tailored missile interception. Essentially, THAAD and Patriot missiles will be integrated and operated as one.

The performance improvement program consists of three phases. Phase 1 involves separating and deploying the launchers, previously connected by wired links at the Seongju THAAD battery in Gyeongbuk, to enable remote control and command. Phase 2 equips the system with the capability to launch PAC-3 MSE missiles using THAAD radar information before the Patriot radar detects targets. The final Phase 3 integrates the Patriot launchers and PAC-3 MSE into the THAAD system to realize remote launch capability for the Patriot system.