Chinese firm releases satellite images showing US military buildup at Prince Sultan Air Base
RIYADH, Feb. 25 (YPA) – Recent satellite imagery captured by a Chinese commercial space company has revealed a US military buildup at Prince Sultan Air Base, southeast of Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia. The development underscores the base’s expanding strategic role amid heightened regional tensions.
According to analysis of the imagery, experts identified the presence of specialized squadrons affiliated with allied forces, including:
- Six E-3G Sentry aircraft: Advanced Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) platforms that function as airborne command-and-control centers, managing aerial battlespace operations and conducting wide-area surveillance.
- Fifteen KC-135R/T aerial refueling aircraft: Widely regarded as the backbone of long-range air operations, these tankers enable fighter jets and other aircraft to remain airborne for extended periods and significantly expand their operational reach without landing.
Military analysts say the concentration of this number of early-warning aircraft and aerial refueling tankers suggests that operational readiness has been elevated to high levels.
Reports indicate that Prince Sultan Air Base could serve as the primary hub for coordinating and supporting any potential airstrikes or large-scale defensive operations in the region.
Given its geographic location and infrastructure capable of sustaining complex missions, the base is considered well-positioned to manage extensive aerial campaigns. The reported buildup comes amid heightened regional friction, including tensions involving Iran.
As of publication, neither the Saudi Ministry of Defense nor United States Central Command has issued an official statement regarding the images. However, analysts note that a surge in logistical air-support assets often precedes or accompanies periods of significant military escalation.
@E.Y.M