- CNN reports that, according to a statement by the Pentagon, the United States believes the Iranian side may intercept THAAD and Patriot missiles by using at least 80% of the interceptors.
- According to CSIS estimates, in the event of a U.S. attack, the United States could use 2,200 Patriot and 452 THAAD interceptors.
- According to the Pentagon’s calculations, with the ZM-6 system, the use of a low-flying trajectory can make it possible for the missiles to evade interception by the radar systems and thus complicate the interception by the missile defense systems.
At the same time, the Pentagon says that, in a scenario involving an Iranian attack, the United States would be able to intercept at least 80% of missiles targeting the system, but that the command would be able to intercept them only if the missiles are not equipped with critical low-flying trajectories. CNN also notes that the system’s radar would be able to detect the missiles only at a certain distance, which could limit its effectiveness.
According to two CSIS estimates, the United States would have to use at least 4/5 of its THAAD interceptors, while the Patriot interceptors would be used to intercept the remaining missiles. For the purposes of the calculations, the Center for Strategic and International Studies used the statement that the United States would use 2,200 Patriot and 452 THAAD interceptors.
CNN also says that it is possible that the system’s effectiveness could be reduced if the missiles are equipped with low-flying trajectories. It adds that a low-flying missile could make it harder for the system to detect and intercept it in time.
According to the Pentagon, the use of a low-flying trajectory could make it possible to evade interception by missile defense systems. At the same time, the material also says that the United States believes the ZM-6 system could be used to attack the United States and its allies.
According to Reuters, the Pentagon says that, in the event of a missile attack, the United States would be able to intercept the missiles with its air defense systems. The report notes that this would depend on the missiles’ flight profile and the number of interceptors available. It also says that the United States believes ATACMS, PrSM and Tomahawk missiles could be used in such attacks.