New Delhi: As Israel and US continued its joint attacks, Iran pounded a number of countries in the Gulf region which have US bases, including UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia.
In one of such attacks, a key US early warning radar system was destroyed in Qatar. The system, costing around $1.1 billion, dealt a huge setback to the US missile defence systems in the region, which could render them blind and unable to detect incoming missile strikes.
The blow to the key infrastructure of the US military forces has been confirmed. Satellite imagery gathered by Planet Labs suggests destruction and firefighting efforts around the site of the US Space Force’s AN/FPS-132 (Block 5) Ballistic Missile Early Warning Radar System. The system is reportedly the biggest that is operated by the US military forces in the Middle East region.
Satellite imagery from Planet Labs has now confirmed claims made by a number of Iranian-affiliated channels over the last few days, that an Iranian one-way attack drone, or other projectile, was able to successful impact and significantly damage the U.S. Space Force’s AN/FPS-132… pic.twitter.com/9w2OmMMEex
— OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) March 4, 2026
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has dubbed the attack as a “precision missile strike”. Some other sources pointed out that a low-cost, one-way attack drone, potentially like Shahed, may have penetrated the defences amid the attacks of missiles and drones.
What is the $1.1 billion radar system
The radar system is built by Raytheon as part of the Upgraded Early Warning Radar (UEWR) programme. It can detect ballistic missiles and other aerial threats at distances ranging up to 5,000 km. The system can sound early warning of launching of strikes across the West Asia.
Since it is located in Qatar, the radar can cover key strategic regions, such as Iran, Iraq, Turkey, Syria, parts of Central Asia, and the Indian Ocean.
The radar is a key component in the US missile defence system due to its range. It integrates systems such as THAAD, Patriot missile defence batteries, and warships equipped with Aegis systems. The radar tracks missile launches way in advance and provides information to prepare for defence against missile strikes.
‘They took out the eyes’
According to defence experts, the fallout of the destroyed system is far-ranging. On X, former US Army colonel Douglas Macgregor pointed to the importance of the damaged installation and said: “They took out the eyes.”
Geopolitics expert Brian Allen said the strike could spell strategic consequences for the US military presence in the region. He dubbed the damaged radar system as “the backbone of all US missile defence in the Gulf”, while warning that parts of the defensive network might now be “operating blind”.
🚨 HOLY HELLLLLLL: Iran just took out a $1.1 billion radar at the most fortified US base in the Middle East with a single missile.
THIS IS BAD!!!
That radar was the backbone of ALL US missile defense in the Gulf. Every Patriot. Every THAAD. Now operating blind.
Qatar… pic.twitter.com/Sp4YQYj0Rz
— Brian Allen (@allenanalysis) March 4, 2026
Defence analysts underline that the damage of a strategic system like the AN/FPS-132 could create gaps in regional coverage. They added that such huge radars can’t be replaced fast, and therefore, any blow to the system could temporarily undermine surveillance and capability to track missile in the entire Middle East.
Experts also point out that the system costs a fortune and it is the most expensive apparatus destroyed during the initial stages of the raging war, which is taking a huge toll on human lives and global economy.