Question 65 from UPSC CSE 2018 - Current Affairs

Question

What is 'Terminal High Altitude Area Defence (THAAD)', sometimes seen in the news?

IASCODEX · Accepted Answer

Correct Option: C. An American anti-missile system

Strategy: - Focus on the acronym 'THAAD' and its full name 'Terminal High Altitude Area Defence'.
- Recognize THAAD as an advanced missile defense system based on its technical nature and international coverage.
- Cross-check national origins, recalling THAAD is American, not Israeli, Indian, or an Asian joint project.
- Confirm the correct answer by leveraging knowledge of its unique name and global deployment.

Key Info: Terminal High Altitude Area Defence (THAAD) is an advanced anti-ballistic missile defense system developed by the United States. It is designed to intercept and destroy short, medium, and some intermediate-range ballistic missiles during their terminal (final) phase of flight.

THAAD was first proposed in 1987 and entered service with the U.S. Army in 2008. It employs a hit-to-kill approach, using kinetic energy to neutralize incoming threats. The system consists of interceptor missiles, a sophisticated X-band radar (AN/TPY-2), command and control units, and launchers. It is highly mobile and can be rapidly deployed.

Deployment of THAAD batteries has occurred in regions including South Korea, Guam, and the Middle East as part of U.S. and allied defensive strategies against missile threats. It is not an Israeli radar, not India's indigenous program, nor a Japan-South Korea collaboration, but a U.S. system often at the center of geopolitical discussions, especially regarding North Korea and China.

IASCODEX · Answer

Option A: An Israeli radar system

IASCODEX · Answer

Option B: India's indigenous anti-missile programme

IASCODEX · Answer

Option D: A defence collaboration between Japan and South Korea