Yemen rebels plan to make their own medium-range missiles! WSJ reveals the influx of Chinese parts, the range may reach 1930 kilometers

Iran publicly displayed the "Khairbar Shekan" medium-range ballistic missile in 2022. The Yemeni rebels are suspected of trying to imitate this missile using imported Chinese parts. (AFP file photo)

[Compiled by Chen Chengliang/Comprehensive Report] The Yemeni rebel "Youth Movement" (Houthis, also translated as the Houthis armed forces) is trying to use parts provided by Chinese suppliers to imitate Iran's medium-range ballistic missiles. The US "Wall Street Journal" (WSJ) exclusively reported on the 14th that the goods seized by the Yemeni authorities included parts related to Iran's "Kheibar Shekan" series of missiles. If the imitation is successful, the range may reach about 1,930 kilometers, covering the entire territory of Saudi Arabia and Israel.

Conflict Armament Research (CAR) is a research organization that traces the origins of weapons in war zones. Based on information provided by the Yemeni authorities, the organization discovered that the authorities intercepted two batches of goods containing missile parts last year, and the missile equipment was hidden among other commodities. Items seized include customized metal parts, missile motor and missile body structural parts, tail fins and solid fuel rocket motor-related components, as well as testing equipment, tools and raw materials, including ablative protection materials that can withstand the high temperatures of missile flight.

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The report obtained by WSJ stated that some parts are consistent with Iran's Kheibar Shekan ("Castle Crasher") series of missiles. This missile was first unveiled in 2022. It uses a solid fuel propulsion system, can be launched maneuverably and has precise guidance capabilities. The warhead segment of some models can break away at the end of flight and use small engines to adjust its direction, making it more difficult for the air defense system to intercept.

However, the seizure of parts does not mean that the missile has been manufactured. CAR senior analyst Fabian Hinz told WSJ that these imported supplies may represent that the youth movement has begun manufacturing, or it may still be in the trial stage, and the actual progress cannot be confirmed. CAR also recorded customized machined parts related to the shorter-range Sadr missile at the end of 2024, but the source of supply could not be confirmed at that time.

Mohammed al-Basha, founder of the Washington-based risk consulting firm Basha Report, pointed out that the youth movement has long relied on Iran and Lebanese Hezbollah to provide missiles, assemble them and use them; in recent years, it has gradually developed local weapons manufacturing capabilities and expanded smuggling and international procurement networks.

China supply chain becomes focus of missile parts investigation

The shipping documents listed in the CAR report pointed to a Chinese precision metal processing company. The company claims to specialize in the production of customized aerospace parts, but the report did not disclose the company name. Some of the items seized have dual-use properties, while other parts are specifically designed for missile use.

Citing United Nations reports and information compiled by weapons experts, WSJ pointed out that Chinese companies are the largest source of seized goods originally destined for youth sports; many companies sanctioned by the United States and supplying drone parts for youth sports are also located in China. China has stated that it abides by the relevant United Nations arms embargo on Yemen.