1. Terminal High Altitude Area Defense
THAAD
Terminal High Altitude Area Defense

2. What is THAAD
US designed missile to intercept short, medium and intermediate ballistic missiles at the terminal incoming stage
Range of 125 miles- altitude of 93 miles
Travels at Mach 8
Destroys missiles by kinetic energy
Think two cars crashing together

5. Limitations Couldn’t reach China ICBM Russian missiles not intercepted
Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles.
Russian missiles not intercepted
Only hits in terminal phase
Terminal phase- when a missile is heading downward towards its target on earth.

6. Location-
Located on trucks
Guam
AK/ HI
Now SK

7. Why needed- Stop NK missiles launched at SK- especially nuclear.
NK has 1000s of missiles capable of hitting SK within minutes.
Comes with advanced radar
2 hours to destroy Seoul with artillery

8. Why is China concerned?
Not concerned about THAAD hitting a Chinese ballistic missile.
It is the monitoring capabilities that THADD does.
Gives US a slight edge in early detection of Chinese ICMB launch
Limits China’s second strike capabilities in nuclear bombs.
Second Strike- Assured ability to respond to a nuclear attack with powerful nuclear retaliation against the attacker

9. Inherency- US/SK have agreed to place THAAD in SK. Decided early Aug.
Obama/Clinton support THAAD to defend SK.

10. Harms Advantages
China starts arm race to counter the THAAD surveillance including strategic nuclear weapons.
Sees it as more US influence in SEA.
Creates more incentive of NK to develop more missiles
Destabilizes the area.
SK economy dependent on exports to China- especially pop culture.

11. Reunification-
NK and SK join as one democratic nation.

12. Harms-
If US cuts aid-
NK feeds itself two ways: Chinese aid, and nuclear blackmail against the West and SK
Why NK keep launching missiles
NK collapse kills millions in war and starvation
NK wages war against SK to limit collapse
WMD

13. Solvency- Reduces accidental misunderstanding and war.
Reduces tensions in the area
China forced to pressure NK to limit nuclear and missile program.
China/US prepare for NK collapse so ready.

14. Reunification-

15. NEG Arguments- THAAD Causes regional cooperation which is good
Creates peace in the region-
Causes SK to pursue own missile defense program
NK attacks before system is operational
Signals appeasement to China- US loses influence.
SK/Japan see US negating security agreements and obtain own nuclear weapons.
Reunification is a nightmare

16. THAAD Korea Debate