RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, — Saudi Arabia appears to be expanding its al-Duwadimi ballistic missile complex to support the production of larger solid-fuel missiles capable of carrying heavier payloads or reaching longer distances, according to satellite imagery analysis by researchers at the US-based Foreign Policy Research Institute (FPRI), reported by Reuters.
Researchers Sam Lair and Michael Duitsman examined images from US-based Planet Labs covering April 2025 to September 2026. The complex is located approximately 200 kilometres (125 miles) west of Riyadh.
New Facility for Missile Production
The imagery shows a new building at least twice the size of the existing facility believed to contain missile motor casting pits. Construction began with ground clearing and excavation in April 2025. Images from December 12, 2025, showed two deep pits inside the unfinished structure, while images from September 18, 2026, showed heavy-duty blast-diverting walls installed on either side, with the roof still partly unfinished.
Researchers assess that the pits are used to pour solid-propellant mixtures into missile motor casings, where the material hardens. The protective walls are designed to direct accidental explosions away from nearby structures. A second new building may be intended for storing propellant ingredients or finished missile components.
The researchers estimate that production could begin by the end of 2026, although installing specialised equipment may take several additional months.
🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia appears to be expanding its ballistic missile factory to build larger solid-fuel missiles, according to researchers who analyzed commercial satellite images, Reuters reports. Images taken between April 2025 and September 2026 show a new building at the al-Duwadimi complex, about 200 km (125 miles) west of Riyadh, at least twice the size of the existing facility and likely used for casting missile motors. A second new building may store fuel ingredients or finished components. Researchers Sam Lair and Michael Duitsman of the Foreign Policy Research Institute said the expansion would let the kingdom produce missiles with longer ranges or heavier payloads, and the facility could start production as early as the end of 2026.
— Military Summary (@MilitarySummary) October 23, 2026
Possible Chinese Missile Technology
Solid-fuel missiles can be stored for long periods and prepared for launch more quickly than liquid-fuel systems.
Saudi Arabia acquired approximately 40 Chinese DF-3 liquid-fuel ballistic missiles in 1987, according to a declassified 1991 CIA estimate. Two were publicly displayed during a military parade in 2014.
Lair and Duitsman have also identified what they assessed as wreckage in Yemen from a Chinese-designed DF-15 solid-fuel ballistic missile fired by Saudi forces. Lair said Saudi Arabia may already be manufacturing the DF-15 and assessed that the expanded facility could support production of the longer-range DF-21 or a comparable system. However, the satellite imagery does not confirm which missiles the facility will produce.
Strategic Implications
The expansion comes as Saudi Arabia seeks greater self-reliance in defence manufacturing. Longer-range missiles could strengthen its ability to deter potential threats from Iran and support military operations involving Yemen's Houthi forces.
The development could also influence regional security and discussions over a proposed US-Saudi civilian nuclear cooperation agreement. Some US lawmakers have raised concerns about potential weapons-proliferation risks associated with nuclear cooperation, while Saudi Arabia denies pursuing a nuclear weapons programme.
The United States has long restricted exports of longer-range missile systems, contributing to Saudi Arabia's historical reliance on China for such capabilities.
The Saudi embassy in Washington and the kingdom's Information Ministry did not respond to requests for comment, according to Reuters. The findings are based on open-source satellite imagery and researchers' assessments; the exact missile types, production capacity and operational timeline remain unconfirmed.
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