Saudi Arabia Struggles to Stop Houthi Attacks Despite Advanced U.S. Weapons
Saudi Arabia, possessing one of the world's most expensive military inventories, is struggling against missile and drone attacks from Yemen despite advanced air defense systems.
Despite state-of-the-art weapons acquired from the U.S. and high military spending, Saudi Arabia is struggling against missile and drone attacks carried out by the Houthi group in neighboring Yemen.
Impacts and Targets of Houthi Attacks
Missiles and drones fired by the Iran-backed Houthi rebel group have struck Saudi Arabian airports. At least 14 people lost their lives in these attacks.
Following the attacks, students and business people were forced to work from home and stay indoors, a situation that also threatens critical supply routes in the region.
Military Spending and Defense Capacity
Saudi Arabia is the world's largest buyer of American weapons, receiving 12 percent of all U.S. arms exports between 2021 and 2025, and allocated 83 billion dollars for military spending in its 2026 budget.
However, according to national and regional officials, the country's vast geographic size makes a complete defense unrealistic, and the kingdom is experiencing a shortage of interceptor missiles.
Asymmetric Warfare and Regional Analyses
The Houthis are applying an asymmetric warfare tactic by utilizing drones and missiles to disrupt the Saudi economy and spread fear.
Analysts state that the Houthis' experience in challenging Israel's air defense systems has given them confidence and expertise in overloading radar systems.