On January 23, U.S. missile experts released satellite imagery that shows rocket engine production and a missile test facility at Saudi Arabia’s missile base at al-Watah, west of Riyadh. The analysis suggests that Saudi Arabia is now capable of indigenously developing ballistic missiles, and the new imagery shows a rocket engine test stand with a horizontal setup, suggesting that the missiles will be solid fuel. However, is unclear whether the facility is currently functionally capable of producing these missiles.

Update: U.S.-based missile experts believe the facility was designed and built by outside entities. Michael Ellman of the International Institute for Strategic Studies suggests that the factory closely resembles a missile facility in Lantian, China.¹