Saudi Arabia is manufacturing ballistic missiles with the help of China, according to United States (US) intelligence agencies.
CNN on Thursday confirmed the intelligence reports after analysing satellite images of a weapons manufacturing site and said that Saudi Arabia is building missiles in “at least one location.” This is the first time that the Gulf state has attempted to manufacture its own ballistic missiles, although it has previously purchased such weapons from China.
The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported that Riyadh has “sought help” from the People’s Liberation Army Rocket Force, the Chinese military’s missile branch, to assist with the production. Officials familiar with the US intelligence told the WSJ that Saudi Arabia has begun acquiring the hardware required for building ballistic missiles from China.
CNN noted that the satellite images taken between October 26 and November 9 by Planet, a commercial imaging company, reveal a “burn operation” at a facility near Dawadmi. Researchers at Middlebury Institute of International Studies told CNN that this is “unambiguous evidence” that Riyadh is using the facility to produce ballistic missiles.
“The key piece of evidence is that the facility is operating a ‘burn pit’ to dispose of solid-propellant leftover from the production of ballistic missiles,” Jeffrey Lewis, a weapons expert, told the network. “Burn operations are […] a strong signature that the facility is actively casting solid rocket motors,” he noted.
The US has previously refused to sell ballistic missiles to Saudi Arabia over fears that such a move could lead to the proliferation of missiles in the region. However, Riyadh and its Gulf allies have expressed concerns over Iran’s nuclear and ballistic missile programme, especially since the Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen have used ballistic missiles to target Saudi cities.
Saudi Arabia has also expressed disappointment over the US’ decision to restrict weapons supplies over human rights concerns. Moreover, Washington removed its Patriot missile defence system from Riyadh in September. Experts have noted that the move was seen by Saudi Arabia as the US abandoning a strategic ally.
Against this backdrop, China has attempted to gain leverage with Gulf countries in order to increase its influence in the Middle East. China has in the past sold its Dong Feng 3 ballistic missiles to Saudi Arabia; in 2019, CNN reported that Riyadh was expanding its cooperation with Beijing in order to develop its missile programme.
In November, American intelligence agencies discovered that China is building a military facility in a port in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Subsequently, Washington warned Abu Dhabi that Chinese military presence could threaten ties, prompting the UAE to eventually suspend the construction of the base. The UAE announced earlier this month that it is also suspending a $23 billion deal to buy American-made F-35 fighter jets, drones, and other advanced weapons because of the stringent security measures laid out by the US to safeguard American technology from Chinese espionage.
China has been trying to expand its footprint in the Middle East as the US appears to be gradually withdrawing from the region. In March, China and Iran signed a 25-year “strategic cooperation” agreement that focuses on bringing Tehran into Beijing’s flagship Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). China has also upped its vaccine diplomacy in the region by supplying COVID-19 vaccines to the UAE, Turkey, Morocco, Egypt, Bahrain, Iraq, and Algeria.