Saudi Arabia Struggles to Counter Houthi Threats Despite Massive Military Spending
Translated & summarized from i24NEWS Arabic by baba
Saudi Arabia is struggling to counter Houthi drone and missile attacks despite an annual military budget exceeding $82 billion. The kingdom's advanced defense systems are ill-equipped for low-cost, low-altitude threats, leading to a costly imbalance in intercepting attacks. Structural issues within the military and reliance on foreign contractors further complicate defense efforts. In response, Saudi Arabia is expanding defense partnerships with Pakistan and Turkey.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Saudi Arabia's $82 billion military budget is insufficient to counter Houthi drone and missile attacks.
- Advanced Saudi defense systems struggle against low-cost Houthi drones and cruise missiles.
- Interceptor missiles costing millions are used against drones worth thousands, creating a huge cost disparity.
- Structural issues within the Saudi military, including division and reliance on foreign support, hinder defense.
- Saudi Arabia is expanding defense cooperation with Pakistan and Turkey to address regional threats.
Despite investing billions of dollars annually in its military, Saudi Arabia faces significant challenges in defending against Houthi attacks originating from Yemen. A key issue, according to a New York Times report, is that some of its military capabilities are ill-suited to counter low-cost, unconventional threats like drones and cruise missiles. Saudi Arabia has invested heavily in advanced, expensive weapon systems but struggles to intercept small, low-flying targets that can evade ground radar. The kingdom's radar coverage is primarily focused on its eastern regions due to historical security concerns related to Iran and Iraq.
The economic disparity between attack and defense is stark, with Patriot interceptor missiles costing over $3 million each being used to shoot down drones valued at $15,000 to $25,000, a situation analysts likened to using a sledgehammer to crush a mosquito. Global shortages of interceptor missiles, exacerbated by conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, further complicate matters. Meanwhile, the Houthis are locally manufacturing some of their weaponry and diversifying supply sources, making efforts to curb their offensive capabilities more complex.
Beyond technological and cost challenges, structural issues within the Saudi military contribute to the difficulties. The armed forces are divided into a regular army and a National Guard, a division intended to prevent military coups, with separate leaderships. Critics suggest this centralized decision-making structure may hinder operational flexibility and response times. Furthermore, maintenance and technical support heavily rely on Western contractors, posing a potential challenge during escalations.
In response to these pressures, Saudi Arabia is activating a joint defense agreement signed in August with Pakistan and Turkey. This comes after recent Saudi requests for assistance were reportedly denied by the U.S. administration. The cooperation with Islamabad and Ankara is expected to cover intelligence and communications, aiming to broaden Riyadh's security partnerships and enhance its ability to confront regional threats. An Israeli researcher warned against overlooking Saudi Arabia's difficulties, noting that a Houthi victory or a militarily imposed settlement could represent a significant strategic gain for Iran and its allies.
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