The AN/TPY-2 radar, a core part of the US anti-missile defense system THAAD, is expected to be delivered to South Korea in one to two days, Yonhap news agency reported on Thursday citing a government source.
The date for the battery deployment is yet to be disclosed, however the position of Seoul and Washington on its deployment will not change, said the official, who was not named.
The AN/TPY-2 radar system is known as the “eye of THAAD” enabling the detection and tracking of ballistic missile threats as well as guiding interceptor rockets.
The radar along with the launchers will be arriving in the country to undergo an operational test next month.
The remaining elements are all expected to be delivered within the next month.
Seoul argues that THAAD, or the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense system, is purely defensive and poses no threat to other countries in the region.
However, China and Russia have repeatedly voiced their opposition to the installation of the military hardware, and reiterated that it undermines the regional strategic balance in the region and triggers an arms race.
Geng Shuang, spokesperson for China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, recently urged concerned parties to halt the deployment and refrain from going too far along the wrong track, warning that “we will take steps to maintain our security interests.”
