The Radar War in the Middle East
The Radar War in the Middle East Why High-Value U.S. Radar Losses Matter More Than Aircraft Recent strikes in the Middle East have highlighted a critical vulnerability in modern air and missile defense systems: radar infrastructure. While aircraft losses often attract public attention, the destruction or degradation of high-end radar systems may have far greater strategic consequences. Several reports indicate that Iranian missile and drone strikes targeted radar installations supporting U.S. and allied air-defense networks across the Gulf region, including sites in Jordan and Qatar. Among the most significant losses was an AN/TPY‑2 radar linked to the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system at Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan. Satellite imagery indicates the radar was destroyed during the early phase of the conflict. Estimated cost: roughly $300 million for the radar alone, while a full THAAD battery can exceed $1 billion. Radars: The “Eyes” of Missile Def...