Saudi missile plant expansion may produce more powerful missiles, study says
More capable missiles could help Saudi Arabia to deter attacks by Iran and the Houthis, but they also risk fueling a regional missile race in a volatile region
Saudi Arabia is reportedly expanding its ballistic missile factory to produce more powerful missiles with longer ranges or larger payloads, according to a study by two US researchers. The project is said to be centered around a new building at the al-Duwadimi complex, located about 125 miles west of Riyadh. The researchers believe this facility may be used to cast pits for missile fuel ingredients or store completed missile components.
Solid-fuel missiles are favored by militaries due to their long storage periods and quick launch capabilities. The expansion of this complex may be a response to regional tensions and could fuel a missile race in the Middle East. It may also deepen opposition in the US Congress to a US-Saudi civilian nuclear agreement, which has raised concerns about proliferation.
Written by urgent.news from Jerusalem Post's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
