{
  "id": 16202757,
  "title": "Saudi missile plant expansion may produce more powerful missiles, study says",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/23/saudi-missile-plant-expansion-may-produce-more-powerful-missiles",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-23T16:53:17.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Jerusalem Post",
    "slug": "jerusalem-post",
    "url": "https://www.jpost.com/defense-and-tech/article-912662"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "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.",
  "summary": "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",
  "key_points": [
    "Saudi Arabia expanding missile factory for more powerful missiles",
    "New building at al-Duwadimi complex, 125 miles west of Riyadh",
    "Expansion may fuel Middle East missile race and US congressional opposition"
  ],
  "editors_take": "Expanding the al-Duwadimi complex signals a shift toward more sophisticated solid-fuel capabilities that could ignite a regional arms race and jeopardize future civilian nuclear cooperation with the United States.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}