Kathmandu— The United States military is exploring the possibility of incorporating elements of Russian air defense technology into its next generation of mobile radars, following substantial damage to American radar assets during a conflict involving Iran. Reports indicate that new THAAD radars are being designed with a mobile sensor platform function mirroring those found in Russia’s S-300 and S-400 systems. The move comes after the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) allegedly destroyed over $3 billion worth of US air defense radars during the initial stages of fighting, significantly impacting situational awareness for American forces and allies.

Extent of Radar Losses

During the conflict initiated by Israel and the US against Iran in late February, Iranian forces reportedly inflicted significant damage on American radar systems. The losses included lower-value radars like the AN/TPS-59, valued at approximately $70 million, as well as a more costly AN/FPS-132 radar and two high-value AN/TPY-2 X-band mobile radar systems from the THAAD anti-ballistic missile system—each estimated to be worth over $1 billion. These losses dealt a major blow to US forces’ ability to monitor aerial threats.

Shift in Air Defense Philosophy

The reported US approach represents a potential departure from traditional Western air defense strategies, which typically emphasize self-contained batteries. Instead, the military is considering a networked system where radars function as nodes, detecting targets and relaying data to remote launchers while remaining physically separated from interceptors. This concept aligns with both Russia’s established networked air defense architecture and the US Integrated Air and Missile Defense Battle Command System (IBCS), designed to integrate various sensors and weapons.

Reliance on Alternative Sensors

Following the destruction of radar installations, US and Israeli forces were reportedly forced to increase their reliance on ship-based sensors and an AN/TPY-2 radar stationed in Turkey. This shift highlights the vulnerability created by the loss of land-based radar capabilities and underscores the need for improved redundancy and resilience in air defense systems.

Recent reports suggest that Iranian strikes have caused up to $13 billion in damage to US military assets and facilities across the Middle East, with Tehran launching over 2,000 attacks damaging sites in eight countries. The US is continuing to assess its defensive capabilities in light of these developments.

(With inputs from RT)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.