Analysis: Iranian technology, Chinese parts, and artificial intelligence... How are the Houthis developing their military arsenal?
An analysis reveals how the Houthis, with Iranian support, achieved self-sufficiency in assembling drones and missiles using Iranian technology, Chinese parts, and artificial intelligence, enabling them to launch attacks on Riyadh Airport and Aramco, exposing Saudi Arabia's military vulnerability.
The Houthis' recent attacks on Riyadh Airport and Aramco have highlighted Saudi Arabia's military vulnerability and the impact on its investment image, resulting from the Houthis achieving self-sufficiency in assembling drones and missiles with Iranian support, diversifying their supply chains, and draining regional air defenses amid the war on Iran. Weapons and regional affairs experts believe this nightmare scenario for a key US ally in the Gulf has been taking shape over years. These experts attribute Saudi Arabia's exposure to a combination of factors, including Iran's assistance to the Houthis in reaching a level close to self-sufficiency in producing and deploying advanced weapons, which enhanced their previously limited capabilities, in addition to the impact of the American war on Iran that depleted the stock of interceptor missiles. Iran has been providing weapons, money, and training to the Houthis for over a decade, though Tehran officially denies arming the Houthis in violation of a UN arms embargo. Experts said that despite the financial and military pressures on Iran due to the war and sanctions, the Houthis have learned, with Iranian help, to assemble their own weapons, including drones and missiles.