▲ Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Analysis indicates that Saudi Arabia is expanding its missile manufacturing facilities to produce ballistic missiles capable of flying farther or carrying heavier warheads.
Reuters reported on the 23rd (local time) that, according to an analysis of commercial satellite imagery over the past year by researchers Sam Lair and Michael Duitsman at the U.S. think tank Foreign Policy Research Institute (FPRI), Saudi Arabia has been expanding production capacity at the Al-Dawadimi missile complex located 200 kilometers west of the capital, Riyadh.
The researchers identified a newly constructed building featuring what appears to be a solid-fuel casting pit in satellite photos taken between April of last year and September of this year.
The researchers stated that the building is surrounded by walls that appear designed to protect nearby structures from accidental explosions.
They added that these walls bear some similarity to those captured in satellite photos of U.S. and Iranian missile factories.
"These satellite images suggest that Saudi Arabia is expanding the infrastructure of its missile production complex," the researchers assessed, adding, "This appears aimed at producing larger missiles capable of carrying heavier payloads or achieving longer ranges."
Solid-fuel missiles have the advantages of being able to be stored for long periods and launched more quickly than liquid-fuel missiles.
The FPRI stated that given Saudi Arabia's missile force composition, the Al-Dawadimi complex suggests a reliance on Chinese technology.
FPRI researchers added that the features of the complex also resemble those of Chinese missile factories.
Saudi Arabia has reportedly relied on China because the United States has long restricted the export of long-range missile systems.
In fact, Saudi Arabia was found to have launched Chinese Dongfeng (DF)-15 ballistic missiles last month against the Houthi rebels, an Iran-backed group in Yemen.
Lair of the FPRI said Saudi Arabia may currently be producing solid-fueled DF-15 ballistic missiles, and that the expansion of the Al-Dawadimi complex appears intended for the production of the longer-range Dongfeng (DF)-21 or a similar missile.
Jascha Bruchmann of the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) in the U.K., who reviewed the FPRI's analytical report at Reuters' request, also agreed that the expansion of the Al-Dawadimi complex could be for the production of more powerful solid-fuel missiles.
Reuters analyzed that acquiring more powerful missiles is a way for Saudi Arabia to deter Iranian attacks, enhance military self-reliance, and strengthen its leverage in the conflict with the Houthis.
However, it expressed concern that this could fuel a regional missile arms race.
Decker Eveleth of CNA, a U.S. defense-related think tank, said that not only Saudi Arabia but other major Gulf powers are also seeking to expand their offensive and defensive weapon systems.
"This phenomenon is repeating across the Middle East," he said, adding, "The exact same thing is happening in the United Arab Emirates and Turkey. Every country is doing this right now."
(Photo: Getty Images)
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