US Considers Redeploying Patriot and THAAD Systems from South Korea to Middle East

The United States is weighing the redeployment of air defense assets stationed in South Korea to the Middle East amid the ongoing conflict with Iran, according to South Korean newspaper The Chosun Daily. Systems under consideration include MIM-104 Patriot surface-to-air missile batteries and Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) systems, including the battery stationed in Seongju, North Gyeongsang Province. Surveillance and reconnaissance assets such as the MQ-9 Reaper, permanently based at Kunsan Air Base with U.S. Forces Korea, are also being considered for redeployment.