Why Saudi Arabia’s Advanced Air Defences Face a Tough Test
News Desk
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s massive investment in defence technology and advanced weaponry is facing a critical test as missile and drone attacks attributed to Yemen’s Houthi militants expose the challenges of protecting the Kingdom’s airports, oil refineries, pipelines and other strategic infrastructure.
Despite spending billions of dollars annually on its military and acquiring sophisticated air defence systems from the United States and Europe, Saudi Arabia continues to face threats from multiple directions.
The situation highlights a growing dilemma for the oil-rich Kingdom: how to safeguard its vast territory and critical economic assets against increasingly sophisticated aerial attacks.
According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), Saudi Arabia spent approximately $83 billion on defence last year, placing it among the world’s ten largest military spenders.
Its military arsenal includes US-made fighter jets, Patriot and Terminal High Altitude Area Defence (THAAD) missile systems, as well as weapons acquired from France and Britain.
However, the scale of its military expenditure has not eliminated the challenges posed by relatively inexpensive missiles and drones.
Protecting an extensive network of strategic installations across a vast geographical area requires more than advanced weaponry; it demands continuous surveillance, rapid threat detection and the ability to intercept incoming projectiles within extremely short timeframes.
Threats emerging from multiple directions
Saudi Arabia’s security challenges have become more complicated as threats emerge from the east, north and south.
From the east, Iran has reportedly launched approximately 1,000 missiles and drones at Saudi targets during the ongoing conflict. To the north, Iranian-backed militias in Iraq have reportedly targeted the Kingdom’s vital East-West oil pipeline.
Meanwhile, Houthi fighters operating from Yemen’s mountainous terrain continue to pose a threat through missiles launched from concealed positions and mobile launchers.
This combination of threats places considerable pressure on Saudi Arabia’s air defence network. Rather than protecting a single city or refinery, the Kingdom must defend numerous geographically dispersed targets, including energy infrastructure that is central to its economy and global oil supplies.
Even sophisticated defence systems face operational limitations when several threats approach simultaneously. Military commanders must rapidly identify incoming projectiles, assess their intended targets and determine which threats require interception, making the protection of a vast territory particularly demanding.
Houthis adopt increasingly sophisticated tactics
Another major concern is the evolving strategy employed by Houthi militants. By combining ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and long-range drones, the group can place additional pressure on air defence systems and complicate interception efforts.
Similar tactics have been observed in Russia’s attacks on Ukraine, where combinations of different aerial weapons have been used to challenge air defence networks.
Cruise missiles typically fly at low altitudes, allowing them to exploit terrain and potentially evade detection for longer periods. Long-range drones can also approach targets from unexpected directions, while ballistic missiles travel at high speeds and may provide defenders with limited time to respond.
According to CNN, experts have linked the Houthis’ growing missile capabilities to external military assistance and technical training. The group’s Hatim-2 and Palestine-2 missiles have been described as resembling Iranian weapons in their design and performance, although the precise extent of external involvement in individual attacks remains a separate question.
The growing sophistication of these weapons presents Saudi Arabia with a difficult military calculation: expanding interception capabilities while ensuring that air defence resources are available to protect its most vulnerable installations.
A difficult balance between security and economic ambitions
The security crisis also threatens Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s economic transformation agenda, which aims to position the Kingdom as a major international destination for investment, technology, tourism and business.
Repeated attacks on airports and critical infrastructure risk undermining investor confidence and raising concerns about the security of major development projects. At the same time, a substantial escalation in Saudi airstrikes against Houthi positions could intensify regional tensions and create further security and economic risks.
Negotiating a political compromise with the Houthis is also complicated by the civilian casualties and damage associated with attacks on strategic targets. Yet a renewed military campaign may not offer a straightforward solution.
A ground offensive into Yemen’s mountainous regions would expose Saudi forces and their allies to difficult terrain, entrenched opposition and the possibility of prolonged fighting. Houthi forces have demonstrated their ability to operate in these areas and have inflicted significant losses on forces supporting Yemen’s internationally recognised government.
Consequently, Riyadh must weigh the potential benefits of military escalation against the risks of a wider conflict that could undermine its long-term economic priorities.
International cooperation and the role of allies
Saudi Arabia is seeking broader international cooperation as it confronts the growing threat to its security and economic infrastructure. Pakistan and other allied countries have been mentioned in reports concerning assistance to the Kingdom, although specific claims about troop deployments and operational responsibilities require independent verification.
International partnerships could help Saudi Arabia strengthen its defensive capabilities, improve intelligence-sharing and coordinate responses to missile and drone threats. However, the effectiveness of such cooperation will depend on the extent of practical military support and the willingness of partner countries to become directly involved.
The position of the United States remains particularly significant because Washington has long been a major supplier of Saudi military equipment and a central security partner. However, uncertainty over the extent of direct US intervention in regional conflicts adds another layer of complexity to Riyadh’s calculations.
Can military spending guarantee security?
Saudi Arabia’s predicament illustrates a broader challenge facing modern militaries: expensive defence systems can provide formidable capabilities, but they cannot guarantee complete protection against every missile or drone attack.
The Kingdom must defend a geographically extensive network of airports, energy facilities and transport infrastructure against threats that vary in speed, altitude, cost and direction. The simultaneous use of different weapons can further complicate defensive operations, even when a country possesses advanced interception technology.
For Riyadh, the challenge is therefore not simply to spend more on defence, but to ensure that its military capabilities can respond effectively to an evolving threat environment. Improving early-warning systems, integrating air defences, protecting critical infrastructure and strengthening international cooperation will remain important elements of that effort.
Ultimately, Saudi Arabia’s ability to protect its strategic assets will depend on a combination of military preparedness, diplomatic engagement and regional security cooperation.
As the Kingdom pursues its ambitions to become a global investment and tourism hub, the effectiveness of its response to missile and drone threats will be central to both its national security and its economic future.
