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Calista241

(5,586 posts)
Thu Dec 23, 2021, 10:21 AM Dec 2021

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.
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CNN Exclusive: US intel and satellite images show Saudi Arabia is now building its own ballistic mis (Original Post) Calista241 Dec 2021 OP
Just what the world needs jimfields33 Dec 2021 #1
This message was self-deleted by its author Chin music Dec 2021 #2
Yup. ...nt 2naSalit Dec 2021 #3
Highly likely. nt crickets Dec 2021 #4
Buying tech? Igel Dec 2021 #5
This message was self-deleted by its author Chin music Dec 2021 #6
Ballistic missiles aren't all that hard.... paleotn Dec 2021 #9
I hate to think just DENVERPOPS Dec 2021 #14
This message was self-deleted by its author Chin music Dec 2021 #15
Given Trump's lust for gold DENVERPOPS Dec 2021 #16
This message was self-deleted by its author Chin music Dec 2021 #17
Good morning to everyone except the Kingdom of Bonesaw Torture IronLionZion Dec 2021 #7
Remember 9-11 Mysterian Dec 2021 #8
And Bin Laden's relatives were allowed to leave the US TexasBushwhacker Dec 2021 #13
...and tipped with Pakistani nukes. roamer65 Dec 2021 #10
and the Pig knew about it and gave them a pass and told no one. Bet... Thomas Hurt Dec 2021 #11
Our renewable energy plan needs to be accelerated. Crowman2009 Dec 2021 #12
China? maybe so, BUT bluestarone Dec 2021 #18
Could also be pointed at Yemen James48 Dec 2021 #19
Taking all bets Sgent Dec 2021 #20

Response to Calista241 (Original post)

Igel

(35,423 posts)
5. Buying tech?
Thu Dec 23, 2021, 11:38 AM
Dec 2021

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?

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.

Response to Igel (Reply #5)

paleotn

(18,041 posts)
9. Ballistic missiles aren't all that hard....
Thu Dec 23, 2021, 12:50 PM
Dec 2021

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)
14. I hate to think just
Thu Dec 23, 2021, 04:47 PM
Dec 2021

how much Jared sold to them and how much Trump just pilfered and handed over to Putin......

Response to DENVERPOPS (Reply #14)

Response to DENVERPOPS (Reply #16)

roamer65

(36,749 posts)
10. ...and tipped with Pakistani nukes.
Thu Dec 23, 2021, 01:15 PM
Dec 2021


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.

bluestarone

(17,216 posts)
18. China? maybe so, BUT
Thu Dec 23, 2021, 06:33 PM
Dec 2021

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)
19. Could also be pointed at Yemen
Fri Dec 24, 2021, 01:20 AM
Dec 2021

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)
20. Taking all bets
Fri Dec 24, 2021, 02:29 AM
Dec 2021

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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