BICOM

US intelligence agencies have claimed that China is aiding a Saudi Arabian ballistic missile programme, according to a report by CNN.

CNN reported that Saudi Arabia has purchased material from China and expanded both its missile infrastructure and technology, citing three unidentified sources with direct knowledge of the matter.

Key Congressional Democrats discovered the weapons expansion programme outside of “regular US government channels”, CNN reported, prompting suggestions that the Trump administration had knowledge of the weapons deal and deliberately did not brief Congress about the purchases.

Sources told CNN that the Saudis’ end goal was not clear from the intelligence but noted that the missile development could be part of Saudi efforts to build a nuclear warhead. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has said the kingdom will work to obtain a nuclear weapon should its regional adversary, Iran, develop one.

Although Saudi Arabia is barred from buying ballistic missiles from the US under the 1987 Missile Technology Control Regime, in 2014 China sold Saudi Arabia several dozen Dongfeng DF-3A intermediate-range ballistic missiles.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry said China and Saudi Arabia are “comprehensive strategic partners,” and that both countries: “Maintain friendly cooperation in all areas, including in the area of arms sales. Such cooperation does not violate any international laws, nor does it involve the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction”.

The development comes amid growing tensions between Congress and the White House over Saudi Arabia, with the Trump administration pushing through an $8bn arms deal without Congressional oversight last month. Yesterday, key US senators from both parties introduced 22 separate resolutions in an attempt to block arms sales to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

In January The Washington Post published satellite imagery that showed Saudi Arabia had constructed a ballistic missile factory.