Saudi Arabia seems to be expanding its missile factory in Al-Dawadimi to produce larger solid-fuel missiles that can travel greater distances or carry heavier payloads. This assessment is based on over a year of commercial satellite imagery by American researchers.
Military Implications of the Missile Factory Expansion
Producing missiles with enhanced capabilities could help Saudi Arabia counter threats from Iran and increase its military independence. Additionally, this may strengthen Saudi Arabia's position in the deadly conflict it has with Iran-backed Houthi forces in Yemen.
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However, this expansion could fuel missile competition in the region and may lead to increased opposition in the U.S. Congress regarding the civilian nuclear agreement between the United States and Saudi Arabia, which has raised concerns about arms proliferation.
Construction Details in Al-Dawadimi
Satellite companies like Planet Labs have captured images of the Al-Dawadimi complex, located about 200 kilometers west of Riyadh. Two researchers from the Foreign Policy Research Institute, Sam Lair and Michael Dutzman, estimate that these images indicate the construction of a new building designed for pouring propellant mixtures into missile bodies.
This building is designed to protect itself from nearby structures against unintended explosions and is at least twice the size of the current building. There may also be another building for storing propellant materials or components of prepared missiles.
The images show that Saudi Arabia is developing its infrastructure in the missile production complex, likely intended for producing larger missiles with greater payloads or increased accuracy.
Impact on the Regional Balance of Power
Military analysts believe that these new missiles could enable Saudi Arabia to strike targets in Iran without needing to fly over Iranian air defenses. According to Sascha Bruschmann, a researcher at the Strategic Studies Institute, these missiles could help Saudi Arabia narrow the capability gap with Iran.
The expansion of the Al-Dawadimi missile factory could also have political repercussions in the United States, likely leading to increased bipartisan opposition to the civilian nuclear agreement with Saudi Arabia. Critics argue that this agreement is insufficient to prevent the development of nuclear weapons in Saudi Arabia.
Overall, assessments indicate that the expansion of Saudi Arabia's missile factory, especially as other Gulf powers seek to expand their military arsenals, will have profound effects on the balance of power in the Middle East.
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