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US News

Saudis ask for US help as missile defense arsenal runs low

By
Emily Crane
Published Dec. 7, 2021
Updated Dec. 7, 2021, 12:06 p.m. ET
A member of the U.S. Air Force stands near a Patriot missile battery at Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia.
A member of the US Air Force stands near a Patriot missile battery at Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia. AP

Saudi Arabia has appealed to the United States for urgent help with replenishing Riyadh’s missile defense weaponry, which is running dangerously low, US and Saudi officials revealed Tuesday.

The officials told the Wall Street Journal that Saudi Arabia has asked the US to sell it hundreds of interceptors for use in the kingdom’s Patriot surface-to-air missile system.

The interceptors, which are used to shoot down airborne weapons, are manufactured by Massachusetts-based Raytheon Technologies and cost about $1 million apiece.

The sale of interceptors is currently under consideration by the State Department and the US appears likely to approve the request, officials told the outlet.

“The United States is fully committed to supporting Saudi Arabia’s territorial defense, including against missiles and drones launched by Iranian-backed Houthi militants in Yemen,” a senior Biden administration official said. “We are working closely with the Saudis and other partner countries to ensure there is no gap in coverage.”

An inteceptor being fired from Patriot launcher. Each interceptor costs about $1 million each.
An interceptor being fired from a Patriot launcher. Each interceptor costs about $1 million. raytheon

The Saudi government has also appealed to its Gulf and European allies for a resupply of ammunition.

Saudi Arabia has fended off a growing number of drone and missile attacks by the Houthis over the past few months, according to the officials.

At least 11 ballistic missile attacks and 29 drone attacks were carried out against the kingdom last month alone, Saudi officials said.

Without a significant supply of the Patriot interceptors, Saudi officials fear the ongoing attacks could damage critical oil infrastructure or lead to significant loss of life.

Saudi Arabia has fended off a growing number of drone and missile attacks by the Houthis over the past few months. Above, the US missiles are attended in Kuwait in 2003.
Saudi Arabia has fended off a growing number of drone and missile attacks by the Houthis over the past few months. Above, the US missiles are attended in Kuwait in 2003. AP

US officials have suggested America has an obligation to help the Saudi government given the alliance between the two nations and ongoing calls by the Biden administration for Middle Eastern nations to step up oil production in a bid to reduce the impact of high gas prices.

However, the Biden administration also began reducing the number of US antimissile systems in the Middle East earlier this year in order to focus on challenges posed by China and Russia.

Damage from a missile strike in Yemen on Jun. 5, 2021.
Damage from a missile strike in Yemen on June 5, 2021. AFP via Getty Images

The escalation of attacks comes despite diplomatic efforts by the US and the United Nations to bring an end to the Houthi rebels’ missile and drone attacks on Saudi Arabia.

The US and UN want the Houthis to engage in negotiations to find a settlement to the war in Yemen, which has ground on since 2014 with no end in sight.

With Post wires