Houthis Pursuing Home-Made Medium-Range Ballistic Missiles with Chinese Parts
A new Conflict Armament Research report says the Houthi movement is assembling a 1,200-mile range missile using components supplied from China, potentially extending its strike capability to Saudi Arabia and Israel.
Conflict Armament Research, which monitors weapons flows in conflict zones, reports that the Houthi rebels are assembling a medium-range ballistic missile modeled on Iran’s Kheibar Shekan, using Chinese-origin parts seized by Yemeni authorities. The seized items include custom-machined metal components for the motor, airframe, stabilising fins and solid-propellant material, all sourced from a Chinese precision-metal producer.
Analysts say the missile could travel up to about 1,200 miles, putting the entire Saudi kingdom and Israel within striking distance. While the Houthis have become more autonomous in weapons production, their missile-building facilities are heavily camouflaged, leaving the exact stage of development unclear. The move underscores a shift from dependence on Iranian shipments toward diversified procurement networks that include Chinese suppliers and regional smugglers. The potential deployment of such a system raises concerns for regional security and global oil markets, especially as the Houthis intensify attacks on Saudi targets amid a Riyadh-led blockade.
Why it matters
A Houthi missile capable of reaching Saudi Arabia and Israel would dramatically raise the threat level across the Middle East.
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