Media Wire

Satellite images reveal Saudi Arabia may be quietly expanding ballistic missile force

Saudi Arabia may be quietly modernising and expanding its long-range missile capabilities, newly published satellite imagery disclosed.

Fabian Hinz, a defence and military researcher at the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), analysed the images in a report.

Riyadh first established long-range surface-to-surface missiles in the 1980s in response to the Iran-Iraq war and the broader proliferation of missile capabilities in the region.

Details about the development of its missile programme since then have been scarce, as the Persian Gulf kingdom rarely displays its long-range weaponry openly.

The IISS report found what appears to be the construction of an underground missile base near the town of al-Nabhaniyah in central Saudi Arabia. Construction began in 2019 and was mostly complete by early 2024, it added.

The site marks the first facility of its kind built since the 1980s, the report stated.

Signs that the site is a missile base, Hinz said, include: a similar style of administrative building to other Saudi missile bases, a similar geographical separation between the underground complex and overground residential and administrative areas, and a tunnel entrance resembling that of an existing base.

Contractor records also show that the project in al-Nabhaniyah falls under the defence ministry.

The report also adds that new construction has taken place at the existing Saudi missile force base in Wadi al-Dawasir. The latest addition is a large building, which may serve as an operational or support building within the complex.

The IISS also notes signs of modernisation and expansion at a missile base headquarters in Riyadh, as well as new tunnels or underground sections constructed at bases in al-Hariq, Raniyah and al-Sulayyil.

Saudi Arabia’s long-range missile capabilities remain highly secretive.

The kingdom carried out a large-scale military exercise with a display of its Chinese-made Dongfeng-3 ballistic missiles in 2014, showcasing the missiles for the first time.

In December 2021, CNN reported that Saudi Arabia was actively manufacturing its own ballistic missiles with Chinese assistance, citing US intelligence assessments.

The Intercept reported in May 2022, citing a US intelligence source, that Riyadh was planning to import Chinese ballistic missiles under a programme named “Crocodile”.

As part of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 programme to diversify the economy and reduce dependence on oil, the kingdom is attempting to boost its domestic defence manufacturing industry.

“The apparent absence of ballistic-missile use in Saudi Arabia’s campaign against Ansarullah (the Houthis) indicates that these systems might serve more as a strategic deterrent than a war-fighting capability,” wrote Hinz.

“As such, their true role may only come to light in crisis.”

IFP Media Wire

Reports and views published in the Media Wire section have been retrieved from other news agencies and websites, and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the Iran Front Page (IFP) news website. The IFP may change the headlines of the reports in a bid to make them compatible with its own style of covering Iran News, and does not make any changes to the content. The source and URL of all reports and news stories are mentioned at the bottom of each article.

Recent Posts

Iran vows ‘firm response’ to any assault after US threats

Tehran will give a "decisive and crushing" response to any act of aggression, the spokesman…

9 hours ago

Yemen’s Houthis and US launch new attacks amid tensions

Houthi fighters have claimed another attack on a United States naval vessel, calling it “retaliation”…

10 hours ago

Iran reformist politician Mehdi Karroubi’s house arrest ends after 15 years

The son of Former Iranian parliament speaker and reformist politician Mehdi Karroubi has confirmed reports…

13 hours ago

Remains of 6500 year old infant found in western Iran

An Iranian official in the northwestern province of West Azerbaijan says the remains of a…

13 hours ago

Iran’s 20-Year Vision Plan: A review of unmet goals as 1404 horizon arrives

As Iran reaches the end of its 20-Year Vision Plan (2005-2025), a critical assessment reveals…

13 hours ago

Houthis claim retaliation, US attacks on Yemen continue

Yemen’s Houthis say they have retaliated after vowing to “meet escalation with escalation” following the…

13 hours ago