Author Description

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia boasts a long-established Strategic Rocket Force (SRF). Although the SRF has developed into a significant factor in the country's military arsenal, relatively little has been made public about it over the years. To be sure, the parameters of the SRF's hardware, that is the surface-to-surface missiles (SSM), have become better known over time thanks to a number of analysts who have provided valuable insights about on-going technical developments, but even here much remains open to a good dose of conjecture. There is even less clarity about the software of the SRF, such as its role in national defense, doctrine, or force structure.This monograph addresses the country's expanding SSM capability within the context of Riyadh's strategic thinking, overall force structure, and implications for the future. The thesis of this monograph is that recently-observed advances in Saudi Arabia's Strategic Rocket Force (Quwwat Al-Sawarikh Al-Istratijiya) and, specifically, the addition of potentially new SSM systems, are part of a long-standing continuous process intended to provide the country with a deterrent and, potentially, a warfighting capability. In effect, Riyadh has prepared the material, human, and intellectual infrastructure steadily over the years, suggesting a long-term plan to develop its SRF. A corollary is that the Saudis see SSMs as part of a cohesive package along with nuclear and space capabilities, and developments in the SRF may be an indicator supporting what some have suggested is Riyadh's intention to also acquire nuclear weapons if Iran were ever to do so.