US Military Asset Rotation Removes Patriot Missile Batteries from Saudi
The United States and Saudi Arabia have long been allies and the former had been protecting the kingdom’s oil fields with four Patriot antimissile batteries installed in the nation as part of their bilateral relation. However, as part of a military asset rotation exercise, recently two out of the four Patriot missile batteries (protecting the kingdom’s oil fields) were removed from the Saudi Arabia. The rotation doesn’t seem to impact the US military strategy in the Mideast in any way.
Officials representing the United States emphasized on the fact that the antimissile equipment and US military forces were accumulated in the region only last year as part of responding to Iranian threats. And the decision of removing the US Patriot missile batteries came after tensions with Iran were observed to have been gradually simmering.
The Saudi Arabian oil facilities were attacked last year, leading to the loss of 5.7 million barrels of Saudi crude in drone attacks claimed by the Iran-backed Houthi rebels. However, it was the only time that the US Patriot missile batteries failed to intercept an attack. In the past, it has detected and successfully intercepted a Scud missile in June 2015, a long-range ballistic missile in October 2016, and another missile fired in March 2018. Only the September 14, 2019 attack led against its oil facilities was the one that the Patriot batteries failed to intercept.
After the decision taken by the US military, the kingdom of Saudi Arabia is left with two US Patriot missile batteries installed at the Prince Sultan Air Base amidst the Saudi desert. In addition to the two antimissile batteries removed, 300 military personnel deployed for operating them will also exit. This will still leave Saudi with a couple of jet fighters and other air defense systems serviced by the United States’ military.
Moreover, what will still remain in the region is a collection of more than 12 Patriot batteries, including one THAAD battery, capable of intercepting high-altitude ballistic missiles. Yet, when the decision was first announced, it was viewed by some as a result of the latest differences observed disturbing the US-Saudi relations following oil production dispute.
However, the credibility of the claim is yet to be confirmed.
A US Department of Defense spokesman, commander Sean Robertson stated, “As part of the Department’s global force management processes, DoD routinely circulates troops and assets to address emerging threats and maintain readiness.” He added, “But the troop rotations will not mean the US will have less ability to counter the threat from Iran.”
The removal of the two US Patriot missile batteries is said to be compensated by the Saudi Patriot batteries, according to an official who requested to remain anonymous.
