Commercial satellite analysis shows that the kingdom is enlarging its ballistic missile manufacturing site at al-Duwadimi to build weapons with heavier payloads. This activity follows renewed conflict with Iran-aligned Houthi forces, who have targeted Saudi cities, airports, and energy facilities since July. Physical evidence recovered in Yemen during September points to the kingdom's first likely combat use of a Chinese-designed DF-15A short-range missile. Establishing this sovereign industrial capacity allows Riyadh to maintain long-range strike capabilities while shielding its defense needs from foreign political shifts.
Key points
Expanding domestic manufacturing reduces Saudi Arabia's reliance on traditional foreign s…: Expanding domestic manufacturing reduces Saudi Arabia's reliance on traditional foreign suppliers during major regional crises.
Producing advanced solid-fuel missiles gives Riyadh the capacity to strike targets at lon…: Producing advanced solid-fuel missiles gives Riyadh the capacity to strike targets at longer ranges with heavier payloads.
Developing sovereign missile infrastructure helps the kingdom counter ongoing security th…: Developing sovereign missile infrastructure helps the kingdom counter ongoing security threats from Iran-aligned regional adversaries.
Sources checked by our analysis pipeline: 1
Saudi Arabia is believed to be expanding its Chinese-designed ballistic missile arsenal as it faces an unprecedented barrage of missile and drone attacks from Yemen's Houthi rebels.
Satellite imagery analysed by American researchers suggests the kingdom is expanding its ballistic missile plant at al-Duwadimi in Riyadh Province to build larger solid-fuel missiles capable of carrying heavier payloads across greater distances.
Fighting between the kingdom and the Iran-aligned Yemeni group has intensified since July, shattering a UN-brokered truce that had largely held since 2022.
The Houthis have stepped up missile and drone attacks on Saudi cities, airports and energy infrastructure, retaliating for what they call a Saudi "blockade" of ports and airports in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen.
Analysts have told Middle East Eye that the renewed confrontation with the Houthis has given the kingdom's arsenal added significance.
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