New U.S. military testing facility coming to Saudi Arabia

The U.S. military is developing a new testing facility in Saudi Arabia to help stifle an increasing number of threats to the region.

First reported by NBC, three U.S. defense officials told the outlet that U.S. Central Command — which has an area of responsibility that includes the Middle East — is in the early planning stages of the new facility, which will be called Red Sands Integrated Experimentation Center.

“Still in the conceptual phase of development, the idea of a Red Sands Experimentation Center is an innovative approach to training and readiness between our Middle East partners and the United States,” U.S. CENTCOM spokesperson Lt. Col. Dave Eastburn told Military Times.

Officials told NBC News that the ultimate location has not yet been finalized, but noted that the country was chosen because of its ability to safely test “various methods of electronic warfare, like signal-jamming and directed energy” in large open spaces owned by the Saudi government.

The idea for the new facility was reportedly proposed by CENTCOM commander Gen. Michael Kurilla, who visited Saudi Arabia in July to meet with the Arab state’s armed forces and to discuss regional cooperation, according to a CENTCOM press release.

“This concept is one that’s being developed as CENTCOM looks for innovative ways to enhance the strong strategic partnerships that have existed in the region and to build on the successful efforts of our partners to grow peace and stability in the region,” said Eastburn.

The plans for the new testing site come as tensions with Iran and other neighboring states are on the rise. On Sunday, the military flew nuclear-capable B-52 long-distance bombers over the Middle East in a show of force. Last month, the State Department cleared a possible weapons sale to both Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

President Biden also visited Saudi Arabia in July, meeting with the nation’s leaders to discuss partnerships between the countries.

“The United States affirmed it would accelerate our cooperation with Saudi Arabia and other partners in the region to counter unmanned aerial systems and missiles that threaten the peace and security of the region,” the White House said at the time.

A cost estimate for the facility and an operational timeline for Red Sands is unclear at this time, but it likely will not materialize before the end of 2022, the defense officials told NBC.

U.S. CENTCOM is also working with Saudi Arabia to plan for a field training exercise in the Middle Eastern state sometime in May or June of next year, according to a CENTCOM press release from August.

In Other News

January 6 convict asks for light sentence in order to remain in Navy

An active-duty service member convicted in the Jan. 6, 2021, attack urged a judge for a light sentence in order to remain in the Navy.

Agreement helps military spouses keep federal jobs in overseas moves

Here's how an agreement between the Pentagon and State Department will help federally employed military spouses move their jobs overseas in a PCS.

Navy ship underway for Gaza pier mission suffers fire, returns to US

The cargo ship 2nd Lt. John P. Bobo suffered a fire in its engine room Thursday, forcing it to return to Florida, the Navy said.

VA to largely end animal testing on dogs, cats within two years

The Department of Veterans Affairs is slated to largely end testing on dogs, cats and nonhuman primates within the next two years.

Biden says uncle’s remains never found during WWII due to cannibals

While the claim contradicts the DPAA report about his uncle's fate, Biden's comments on cannibalism in the region during WWII are not far off.

Load More