From Oil to Airports: Why Have Billions in Military Spending Failed to Shield Saudi Arabia from Houthi Attacks?

Saudi Arabia spends tens of billions of dollars a year on military defense and is equipped with advanced American fighter jets, Patriot and THAAD missile defense systems, and European military hardware. Yet missile and drone attacks by Yemen's Houthis have once again exposed the vulnerability of the kingdom's critical infrastructure.

According to the report of Ambassador Arjan, quoted by CNN, the recent attacks by the Houthis on airports, oil facilities and other strategic targets of Saudi Arabia show that even having advanced weapons is not a guarantee for the complete protection of a country against combined missile and drone attacks. In 2025, Saudi Arabia spent about 83 billion dollars on military affairs and was among the largest military spenders in the world.

One of the most important challenges of Saudi Arabia is the geographical extent of this country and the dispersion of targets that must be protected. Oil facilities, refineries, airports, military centers and transportation infrastructures are spread in different regions of this country, and the simultaneous protection of all of them requires a lot of resources and equipment.

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Saudi Arabia faces Yemen and the Houthi group from the south, and faces the danger of drone attacks from groups in Iraq from the north. This situation has caused the Saudi defense systems to be forced to operate on several fronts and against different types of threats.

By using ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and long-range drones, the Houthis are trying to put pressure on Saudi defense systems. Cruise missiles are more difficult to identify and intercept due to their low altitude flight. Also, some newer ballistic missiles are equipped with the ability to change course during flight; A feature that makes tracking them more complicated.

In this way, the issue is not only the number of interceptor missiles or the quality of radars, but the ability to identify multiple targets at the same time and the correct allocation of defense resources is also very important.

According to CNN, the military capabilities of the Houthis have increased in the past years and this group now uses a combination of missiles and long-range drones.

After years of conflict with Saudi Arabia, this group has demanded an end to Saudi airstrikes in support of the Yemeni government forces and the payment of billions of dollars in compensation. The Houthis have also threatened to continue attacks on Saudi economic and shipping targets.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi announced on Monday that Tehran is ready to help start negotiations between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis. Mohammad al-Bakhiti, a member of the Houthis' political office, also claimed that Riyadh has agreed to mediate, but the group has not accepted the two-week and one-month ceasefire proposals.

Saudi Arabia now faces a difficult choice: intensify airstrikes or try to reach a political agreement with the Houthis.

On the one hand, retreating from attacks that have killed civilians and damaged critical infrastructure can weaken Riyadh's regional position. On the other hand, the increase in military attacks may lead to a new wave of missile and drone attacks.

This issue is of particular importance to Muhammad bin Salman; Because he wants to make Saudi Arabia a global destination for investment, technology and tourism. Attacks on airports, data centers, water desalination facilities, and oil infrastructure could put these programs at risk.

According to CNN, even a large-scale ground operation to defeat the Houthis does not seem very likely. This group has taken root in the mountainous areas of Yemen, gained significant war experience and has a good knowledge of the region's geography.

Will America help Saudi Arabia?

Riyadh is trying to get the support of its allies to fight the Houthis. Pakistan and Egypt are among the countries that have declared their readiness to support Saudi Arabia. However, the provision of more defense systems also faces limitations; Because the war with Iran has put pressure on America's weapons reserves.

On the eve of mid-term congressional elections, US President Donald Trump has not shown a clear desire to directly enter into a new conflict in the Middle East, although he has not ruled out the possibility of US attacks against the Houthis.

The experience of previous American operations is not very promising. Last year, Washington spent more than one billion dollars for a seven-week campaign of airstrikes against the Houthis; An operation that could not remove this group from the scene of Yemen.