Al-Watah ballistic missile base explained

Al-Watah ballistic missile base
Map Type:Saudi Arabia
Type:Missile base
Coordinates:24.2137°N 44.702°W
Ownership:Royal Saudi Strategic Missile Force
Controlledby:Saudi Arabia

Al-Watah ballistic missile base is a ballistic missile facility in the low but quite rocky mountains near the town of Al-Watah, Saudi Arabia, 200 km west-southwest of Riyadh.[1]

Overview

The analysts think that the base was built no earlier than 2008. The communication tower of the base is situated at coordinates: 24.2137°N 44.702°W.The base has several underground entry gates, parking slots for mobile launchers and two large launch pads that are identical to ones that can be seen at Chinese DF-3 (CSS-2) Dongfeng missile bases.The liquid-fueled DF-3A is an early Chinese nuclear weapon Intermediate-range ballistic missile and is believed to have a range of 4,000 – 5,000 km with a 2,000 kg warhead.[2] Michael Elleman and Joseph S. Bermudez Jr. stated that the site appears to have a rocket-engine production and test facility.[3]

The launch pads' marks and configuration from satellite images[4] show that the base is 'targeting Iran and Israel with ballistic missiles'.[5] As a Response Israel Target Saudi Arabia With Jericho Missiles

Construction of the base likely began in 2013.

See also

References

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Notes and References

  1. Sean O'Connor – IHS Jane's Defence Weekly. "Saudi ballistic missile site revealed", IHS Jane's Defence Weekly, 10 July 2013.
  2. SinoDefence "DongFeng 3 (CSS-2) Intermediate-Range Ballistic Missile", sinodefence, 27 February 2009.
  3. News: Can Saudi Arabia produce ballistic missiles? Satellite imagery raises suspicions. . Paul . Sonne . January 23, 2019 . . Shane . Harris . https://web.archive.org/web/20190125163017/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/can-saudi-arabia-produce-ballistic-missiles-satellite-imagery-raises-suspicions/2019/01/23/49e46d8c-1852-11e9-a804-c35766b9f234_story.html . January 25, 2019.
  4. Colin Freeman – The Telegraph "Saudi Arabia 'targeting Iran and Israel with ballistic missiles", The Telegraph, 10 July 2013.
  5. Cheryl K. Chumley – The Washington Times "Saudi Arabia targeting Israel, Iran with ballistic missiles, satellite images show", The Washington Times, 12 July 2013.