CNN Exclusive: US intel and satellite images show Saudi Arabia is now building its own ballistic mis
Source: CNN
US intelligence agencies have assessed that Saudi Arabia is now actively manufacturing its own ballistic missiles with the help of China, CNN has learned, a development that could have significant ripple effects across the Middle East and complicate the Biden administration's efforts to restrain the nuclear ambitions of Iran, the Saudis' top regional rival.
Saudi Arabia is known to have purchased ballistic missiles from China in the past but has never been able to build its own -- until now, according to three sources familiar with the latest intelligence. Satellite images obtained by CNN also suggest the Kingdom is currently manufacturing the weapons in at least one location.
US officials at numerous agencies, including the National Security Council at the White House, have been briefed in recent months on classified intelligence revealing multiple large-scale transfers of sensitive ballistic missile technology between China and Saudi Arabia, according to two sources familiar with the latest assessments.
The Biden administration is now confronted with increasingly urgent questions about whether Saudi's ballistic missile advancements could dramatically change regional power dynamics and complicate efforts to expand the terms of a nuclear deal with Iran to include restraints on its own missile technology -- a goal shared by the US, Europe, Israel and Gulf countries
Read more: https://www.cnn.com/2021/12/23/politics/saudi-ballistic-missiles-china/index.html
I would bet money they're all aimed squarely at Iran.
jimfields33
(16,339 posts)Response to Calista241 (Original post)
Chin music This message was self-deleted by its author.
2naSalit
(87,189 posts)crickets
(26,008 posts)Igel
(35,423 posts)Sure. It's one thing that the Biden administration stopped--they can't buy our products, at least not certain classes of product.
As for the transfer of technological capability?
Response to Igel (Reply #5)
Chin music This message was self-deleted by its author.
paleotn
(18,041 posts)The Germans started that ball rolling in WW2. The technology is old and widely available. The accuracy of those missiles, however, is another story. That's the tough part.
DENVERPOPS
(9,004 posts)how much Jared sold to them and how much Trump just pilfered and handed over to Putin......
Response to DENVERPOPS (Reply #14)
Chin music This message was self-deleted by its author.
DENVERPOPS
(9,004 posts)has anyone checked Ft. Knox ????????????
Response to DENVERPOPS (Reply #16)
Chin music This message was self-deleted by its author.
IronLionZion
(45,735 posts)Mysterian
(4,618 posts)15 of 19 attackers were Saudi Arabian.
TexasBushwhacker
(20,272 posts)no questions asked.
roamer65
(36,749 posts)No big secret that AQ Khan was funded by the Saudis and helped by the Chinese.
From 2013
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-24823846
I wonder what the Iranians think of the Chinese now.
Thomas Hurt
(13,903 posts)Crowman2009
(2,520 posts)Then we can leave these corrupt Bedouins in the dust.
bluestarone
(17,216 posts)Wouldn't surprise me one bit, that TFG and company gave the Saudi's all the help they needed! (my opinion of course)
James48
(4,455 posts)A lot of the pain from the decades of hostilities with Yemen continue to be pain points for both countries. Swarms of Iranian-made Yemeni launched drones hitting Saudi Arabian oil facilities.
It would not be surprising to see ballistic missiles pointed in Numberous directions.
Towards Iran.
Toward Yemen.
Towards Israel.
Who knows where else. Saudis are not always predictable.
Sgent
(5,857 posts)that they can be nuclear armed, and will be if Iran develops a nuke. Given our recent history in the ME, Saudi isn't going to rely on us to protect them from Iran.
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