U.S. intelligence agencies have revealed that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is actively working on manufacturing its ballistic missiles with the help of China, according to CNN on Thursday. U.S. officials from various intelligence agencies, including the National Security Council at the White House, have recently reviewed classified intelligence indicating multiple large-scale transfers of sensitive ballistic missile technology between China and Saudi Arabia, according to two informed sources.
New satellite images obtained by CNN indicate that the Saudis are indeed manufacturing ballistic missiles at a previously established site with Chinese assistance, according to experts who analyzed the images and sources confirming that they reflect developments consistent with the latest U.S. intelligence assessments.
The new images show that Saudi Arabia is now producing ballistic missiles at the facility. The main evidence is that the facility manages a "burn pit" to dispose of solid fuel remnants from ballistic missile production, according to Jeffrey Lewis, a weapons expert and professor at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies. He explained that "cast rocket motors produce propellant residues, which are an explosive hazard. Facilities that produce solid-fueled munitions often have burn pits where propellant residues can be disposed of by burning."
Additionally, the expert noted that the facility in question was built with Chinese assistance, and new intelligence assessments indicate that Saudi Arabia recently purchased sensitive ballistic missile technology from China, suggesting that the missiles being produced there may be of Chinese design. Lewis pointed out that there is also evidence that Saudi Arabia has sought assistance from other countries in recent years to develop its ballistic missile program, making it difficult to identify the weapons system that the Kingdom is currently constructing at this facility.
In response to a CNN inquiry about whether there have been any transfers of sensitive ballistic missile technology between China and Saudi Arabia, a spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry stated that the two countries are "comprehensive strategic partners" and have maintained friendly cooperation in all areas, including military trade. The spokesperson added that "this cooperation does not violate any international laws and does not involve the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction."
Meanwhile, former U.S. Ambassador to Bahrain Adam Ereli commented on the news via a tweet, saying "Good for Saudi Arabia to take matters into its own hands, they cannot rely on the United States." He continued, "Perhaps if we had a coherent and consistent policy in the Middle East and treated allies with respect, this would not happen." CNN noted that Saudi Arabia has previously purchased ballistic missiles from China but has not been able to build its own missiles until now, according to three sources familiar with the latest intelligence.
