Experts: Saudi Arabia says nothing about nuclear weapons – but do the more – New Technology

– Saudi Arabia’s government says almost nothing about nuclear weapons, but it makes all the more, says Per Jonsson, Middle East expert at the Institute of International Affairs.

     Tolgfors resigned as defense minister after Saudi affair revealed by the Daily Echo. Photo: TT
     

     Per Jonsson. Photo: Magnus Bergström
     

Per Jönsson has several examples of how the Saudi government has acted over the years.

– They have acquired a certain capacity through medium-range missiles that they bought from China in particular. Then they have a very advanced cooperation with Pakistan. It is likely out that when Saudi Arabia wants, they can buy ready-made nuclear warheads to put on these missiles.

Per Jonsson says that the work has been going on for at least fifteen years for response if Iran were to develop nuclear weapons.

– Thus it is not certain that you do it. But you possess the option, as a deterrent, “If you do so, we do so.”

Per Jonsson says it does not know anything about the technology Sweden was about to sell to Saudi Arabia. But he makes reference to the possibility that the Swedish technology could be used for “refinement of missiles”, “hanging on more technology properly primitive missiles”.

Is Saudi Arabia a dangerous country to export nuclear technology relevant to?

– If you think it’s dangerous to nuclear proliferation , yes. And I think well all people?

If there is a domestic Saudi nuclear program (without Pakistani assistance), it has, however, very long way to go according to all experts, Ny Teknik been in contact with.

– They have trained some nuclear engineers in Russia, but they have a long way to go, says Shannon Kile, head of the Nuclear Weapons Project at the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, SIPRI.

It is common for countries with nuclear weapons programs use a peaceful nuclear program where you can build up some skills. Saudi Arabia has no civilian nuclear energy today, but in December 2006, the Gulf countries, where Saudi Arabia is the largest, a common nuclear study.

United Arab Emirates began construction of four reactors in 2012. In June 2011, Saudi Arabia announced its own plan to build 16 reactors by 2032, one of the world’s nuclear program.

The Saudi government has also, according to the prestigious Nuclear Threat Institute, expressed interest to enrich uranium centrifuges. It is motivated by the civilian nuclear energy needs, just as representatives of Iran stated.

As Per Jönsson mentioned bought Saudi Arabia missiles from China in 1980 century. They are of type Dongfeng 3, is 21 meters long and has a long range (up to 2 500 km). They were developed in China to carry nuclear weapons.

They can also carry conventional warheads, but then has a low accuracy. Half of the rockets would miss the target by more than two kilometers, according Siemon Wezeman, who researches among other miltärteknologi at SIPRI.

– If you have a specific goal you will miss it, says Wezeman.

Is the rocket usable without nuclear weapons?

– Not really. Possibly it can be used for terror against a big city – it does not matter if it hits the Old Town or the far end of Sveavägen.