Regional deterrence, strategic challenges, and Saudi Arabia's missile development program

Abstract

The turbulent security environment of the Middle East has been the most crucial factor influencing the behavior of governments in this region. Saudi Arabia, as one of the most important countries in the area, has embarked on a nontransparent effort to develop its missile program in recent decades, raising significant concerns about the security of the Middle East. This article adopts the regional deterrence approach and strategically examines the various dimensions of Saudi Arabia's missile program to explain the driving factors behind its development. The research argues that the regional deterrence concept has been the primary impetus pushing Saudi Arabia to invest in its missile program, aiming to counter strategic challenges at the regional level. The findings indicate several key drivers motivating Riyadh, including the development of missile programs by Iran and Turkey, the balance of power concerning Israel, responses to transformational discourses, offering alternatives to expansionist approaches in the region, addressing Iran's nuclear program, and the desire to reinforce regional deterrence capabilities. Understanding these factors sheds light on Saudi Arabia's trajectory towards strengthening its missile program and its strategic outlook in the Middle East.