U.S. Defense "Completed Additional THAAD Battery Deployment in Israel"

U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said on the 21st local time that he has completed the deployment of an additional high-altitude missile defense system and THAAD to Israel.

According to the Times of Israel and other sources, Austin visited Kyiv, Ukraine, and told reporters that "the latest THAAD battery sent to defend Israel has now been properly deployed."

"We have the capability to get THAAD up and running very quickly and we are meeting expectations," he added, declining to say whether the additional THAAD will work.

As a result, about 100 U.S. troops needed to operate the THAAD battery, which consists of one radar and six launchers, are also believed to have been deployed.

Asked by reporters about Israel's retaliatory attacks on Iran, Austin said it was "difficult to say exactly what it would look like."

"In the end, it is a matter for Israel to decide, and from Israel's point of view, Iran can perceive it differently, even if it is a proportionate response," he said. "We will continue to do everything we can to ease tensions between the two sides and see what will happen."