Exclusive translation: The US military’s Middle East command is developing plans to open a new military test facility in Saudi Arabia, according to three US defense officials familiar with the plans.
Facility Name
The facility will test new technologies to combat the growing threat from drones, and will develop and test integrated air and missile defense capabilities. Early planning by Central Command, or US Central Command, includes naming the facility the Red Sands Integrated Test Center, drawing parallels to the White Sands Missile Range, a US military test facility for long-range missiles in New Mexico.
its purpose
While the location has yet to be finalized, officials said Saudi Arabia makes the most sense because it has large government-owned open spaces and the ability to test various methods of electronic warfare, such as signal jamming and directed energy, without interfering with it. nearby population centers.
“With Saudi Arabia as the center of gravity for many future regional security endeavors, this is an opportunity,” a US defense official said, according to “NBC News.”
The commander of US Central Command General Michael “Eric Corella” proposed the idea in a meeting with several US allies in the region last month. “There was overwhelming support,” said a US official familiar with the discussions.
the cost
Two US defense officials reported that while there was no confirmed cost estimate yet, officials said the US would likely fund about 20% of the price and provide about 20% of personnel, while allies would cover the rest. A US official said the idea “brings many nations together in pragmatic security arrangements” at a time when Corella directed Central Command to shift the command’s focus from a large US military presence in the region to one on strengthening partnerships.
The two US defense officials added that there is no specific timetable for when Red Sands operations will begin, but that it is unlikely before the end of 2022.