A military base deep inside Saudi Arabia appears to be testing and possibly manufacturing ballistic missiles, experts and satellite images suggest, evidence of the type of weapons it has long criticised its arch-rival Iran of possessing.
Further raising the stakes for any such programme are comments by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who said last year the kingdom wouldn’t hesitate to develop nuclear weapons if Iran does.
The images, first reported by The Washington Post , focus on a military base near the town of al-Dawadmi, some 230 km west of Riyadh. Jane’s Defence Weekly first identified the base in 2013, suggesting that its two launch pads appear oriented to target Israel and Iran with ballistic missiles the kingdom bought from China.
Satellite images
The November satellite images show what appear to be structures big enough to build and fuel ballistic missiles. An apparent rocket-engine test stand can be seen in a corner of the base — the type on which a rocket is positioned on its side and test-fired in place. Such testing is key for countries attempting to manufacture working missiles, experts say.
Chinese military support to the kingdom would not come as a surprise. China has sold armed drones to Saudi Arabia and other nations in the region, even as the U.S. blocks sales of its own to allies over proliferation concerns.
