[Yang Nak-gyu's Defence Club] Will THAAD and Patriot Be Integrated Soon?

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Yang Nak-gyu, Military Specialist Reporter] U.S. military units in four Pacific regions, including those stationed in South Korea and Japan, conducted their first joint ballistic missile defense exercise. It is reported to be the first time that all U.S. missile defense units in the Pacific region have participated in a joint exercise. These units operate high-altitude missile defense systems (THAAD) and Patriot (PAC-3) missiles, leading to speculation that the exercise aimed at integrated operation.

According to the U.S. Army website on the 30th, Japan's 38th Air Defense Artillery Brigade (38th Brigade) conducted a joint command post training (CCPT) for two weeks starting earlier this month to practice operational planning, information sharing, and deterrence execution against ballistic missile attacks. The participating units were the 38th Brigade, the 94th Army Air and Missile Defense Command (94th Command) in Hawaii, the 35th Air Defense Artillery Brigade (35th Brigade) in Osan, Gyeonggi Province, and the Guam E-3 THAAD battery, totaling four missile units.

The 94th Command directs U.S. ballistic missile defense operations in the Indo-Pacific region. The 38th Brigade, under the 94th Command, commands and controls the X-band radar ballistic missile early warning equipment deployed at two locations in Japan. The 35th Brigade is responsible for the Patriot units and the THAAD base in Seongju, North Gyeongsang Province.

The exercise was conducted using computer simulations applying various scenarios, and given the nature of the participating units, it is known to have assumed a North Korean ballistic missile launch. It was reported that missile information detected by U.S. forces in South Korea and Japan was shared, and tracking and interception situation information was also transmitted, assuming a North Korean ballistic missile flying toward Japan.

Some speculate that the exercise also included training to detect not only ballistic missiles but also intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) and submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs) using the THAAD radar. In other words, the exercise included testing the integration process of THAAD and Patriot systems.

The U.S. Forces Korea is also promoting a three-stage THAAD system performance upgrade program (Joint Emergency Operational Need, JEON), ultimately aiming to integrate and operate THAAD and Patriot missiles as one system.

The first stage involves separating and deploying launchers previously connected by wired links at the Seongju THAAD battery in North Gyeongsang Province to enable remote control and command. The second stage equips the capability to launch PAC-3 MSE using THAAD radar information before the Patriot radar detects a target. The final third stage integrates the Patriot launchers and PAC-3 MSE into the THAAD system to realize remote launch of Patriot missiles.

A military expert said, "The training of the four U.S. missile units in the region should be viewed in the overall context of improving the performance of the U.S. missile defense (MD) system."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.