U.S. Considers Relocating THAAD, Patriots to Middle East
By Yang Ji-ho
South Korea-based systems may be moved amid prolonged U.S. military operation against Iran
U.S. President Donald Trump, in an interview with The New York Times on the 1st, local time, predicted that the military operation against Iran, named ‘Epic Fury,’ would last 4-5 weeks. However, there are observations that if the U.S. airstrikes on Iran prolong beyond this period, U.S. military assets and troops stationed in South Korea on the Korean Peninsula could also be deployed to the Middle East.
Experts believe that air defense assets of the U.S. Forces Korea (USFK), such as Patriot and THAAD, Terminal High Altitude Area Defense systems, as well as surveillance and reconnaissance assets like the MQ-9 ‘Reaper’ unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) permanently stationed at Gunsan Air Base in South Korea last year, could be among the assets to be relocated. In June of last year, prior to the ‘Midnight Hammer’ operation to strike Iranian nuclear facilities, the U.S. cyclically deployed three out of eight USFK Patriot batteries to the Middle East to prepare for potential retaliatory attacks from Iran. The over 500 USFK personnel and Patriot batteries that were mobilized at the time returned to South Korea in October of last year.
Experts also believe that the THAAD battery in Seongju, North Gyeongsang Province, and its intercept missiles could be deployed to the Middle East. Just before the outbreak of the war, the British Financial Times, FT, citing a U.S. military official, reported that “up to 150 THAAD missiles were expended during last year’s ’12-day war,'” expressing concerns over potential missile shortages if the war prolongs. Shin Jong-woo, Secretary-General of the Korea Defense Research Forum, stated, “If the airstrikes prolong, the U.S. will likely utilize the combat power and assets of the USFK.” Im Cheol-gyun, a senior research fellow at the Korea Research Institute for Strategy, remarked, “Since South Korea is also facing ballistic missile threats from North Korea, the deployment of USFK air defense assets to the Middle East could pose significant problems from our perspective.”
Regarding this, a source from Cheong Wa Dae stated, “Regarding the operational use of USFK forces, consultations are always conducted between South Korea and the U.S.,” adding, “We are gathering opinions while discussing to ensure that the joint defense posture is not compromised.” In response to inquiries from this newspaper, the USFK stated, “Please contact the U.S. Department of Defense.”
Meanwhile, Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back held a phone conversation on the 2nd at the request of U.S. Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Elbridge Colby and listened to the U.S. position regarding its military operation against Iran, according to the Ministry of National Defense. The ministry also stated that both sides reaffirmed the robustness of the South Korea-U.S. alliance even amid the rapidly changing international security environment.
Original source: https://www.chosun.com/english/national-en/2026/03/03/OTCQNNDNORCHHG6Q5RB6YZ4NLA/