Iran Destroys US Radar in Jordan: THAAD System Impacted

An Iranian attack has destroyed a key U.S. Radar system, the advanced AN/TPY-2, at a base in Jordan, according to reports. The system, valued at an estimated $300 million, is a critical component of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missile defense batteries designed to intercept ballistic missiles in the upper layers of the atmosphere.

While Jordanian authorities reported intercepting two Iranian attacks on February 28th and March 3rd, one of those strikes successfully reached the costly equipment. This development highlights the increasing strain on air defense systems in the Gulf region, which are being challenged by ongoing launches of drones and ballistic missiles from Iran. “These are scarce strategic resources and its loss is a huge blow,” said Tom Karako, an expert at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS).

The loss of the radar is particularly critical given that the United States operates only eight THAAD batteries worldwide, deployed at strategic locations such as South Korea and Guam. Each battery, with an approximate cost of $1 billion, comprises 90 soldiers, six launchers, 48 interceptors manufactured by Lockheed Martin at $13 million per unit, and a single AN/TPY-2 radar.

With this radar out of service, the responsibility for intercepting ballistic missiles will fall to Patriot systems, which have a shorter range and are already facing a concerning shortage of PAC-3 missiles. The situation is further complicated by this not being the first such incident; researchers at the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies in Monterey, California, previously documented damage to an AN/FPS-132 early warning radar in Qatar during another Iranian attack.

Prior to these events, multiple media outlets cited senior Pentagon officials stating that the United States lacks effective means to counter Iranian-made drones. The U.S. Is also being forced to employ interceptors costing millions of dollars each, depleting its reserves.

The Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan, where the radar was located, has been a hub of activity for the United States. Satellite imagery taken before the recent hostilities showed more than 50 fighter jets, along with drones and transport aircraft, stationed at the base.

The AN/TPY-2 radar is crucial for directing THAAD missile defense batteries, enabling them to intercept more complex threats than shorter-range Patriot missile systems. The destruction of the radar system, confirmed by a U.S. Official, marks one of Iran’s most successful attacks to date, according to Ryan Brobst, deputy director of the Center on Military and Political Power at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies. However, Brobst added that the U.S. Military and its partners operate other radars capable of sustaining air and missile defense coverage, mitigating the impact of losing a single system.

The incident comes as tensions remain high in the Middle East following recent exchanges between Iran and its adversaries. The U.S. And Israel have conducted strikes against targets in Iran, and Iran has responded with attacks on regional targets, including those in Jordan, Iraq, and the United Arab Emirates. Satellite images taken on March 2, 2026, showed debris surrounding a blackened THAAD radar at the Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan, with evidence suggesting multiple attempts were made to destroy the system, which is housed across five 40-foot trailers.

The destruction of the radar system raises concerns about the vulnerability of U.S. Assets in the region and the ability of the U.S. And its allies to effectively defend against future attacks. While the U.S. Maintains other radar capabilities, the loss of the AN/TPY-2 represents a significant blow to its missile defense posture in the Gulf. The incident also underscores the escalating nature of the conflict and the potential for further escalation.

According to data compiled by the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, the two reported Iranian strikes in Jordan occurred on February 28th and March 3rd, both of which were initially reported as intercepted. The successful strike on the radar system demonstrates Iran’s increasing precision and determination in targeting critical infrastructure.