Commercial satellite images from Planet Labs PBC underpin a new analysis of an expanding solid-propellant missile production plant near al-Duwadimi, Saudi Arabia. Researchers at the Foreign Policy Research Institute say the imagery shows infrastructure growth at the complex.
The plant was first publicly identified in 2019. Its operation with Chinese assistance was confirmed in 2021.
Researchers believe the expansion may prepare the facility to produce larger missiles capable of carrying heavier payloads or traveling longer distances. Planet Labs’ high-resolution imagery supports independent monitoring of sensitive global security issues.