{"id":36191,"date":"2019-10-25T15:31:08","date_gmt":"2019-10-25T15:31:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/airforcetimes\/uncategorized\/2019\/10\/25\/drone-and-missile-attacks-against-saudi-arabia-underscore-need-for-more-robust-air-defenses\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T03:04:43","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T03:04:43","slug":"drone-and-missile-attacks-against-saudi-arabia-underscore-need-for-more-robust-air-defenses","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/airforcetimes\/flashpoints\/2019\/10\/25\/drone-and-missile-attacks-against-saudi-arabia-underscore-need-for-more-robust-air-defenses\/","title":{"rendered":"Drone and missile attacks against Saudi Arabia underscore need for more robust air defenses"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The Sept. 14 drone and alleged cruise missile attack against two Saudi oil fields hit nearly 6 percent of the world\u2019s oil supply, pushing the United States to beef up counter-missile batteries and air defenses for its Persian Gulf ally.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But experts question whether the additional 3,000 American troops, Air Force F-15s and Patriot missile batteries will be enough to counter the growing capability of Iranian and Yemen-based Houthi drones and missiles in the region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since the 2015 outbreak of violence in Yemen, Iran-backed Houthi rebels have launched more than 250 missiles across the border, according to a U.S. State Department brief obtained by Military Times. Those attacks killed at least 206 civilians and wounded nearly 950. Roughly 20,000 people have been displaced.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The brief also noted there was an increase in \u201cdrone incursions\u201d near the Yemen border in August.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Iran and Houthi rebels<\/a> both field an impressive collection of drones and cruise missiles capable of reaching U.S. allies in the Gulf.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s unknown how many drones and missiles have been shot down by coalition and U.S. Patriot systems in Saudi Arabia. U.S. Central Command did not respond to a request for the Patriot\u2019s success rate in engaging airborne targets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the overreliance on the air defense Patriot system has come under criticism by analysts who argue that the low flying cruise missiles and drones possessed by Iran and its Houthi allies are difficult to counter.<\/p>\n\n\n\t