US Approved 2007 China-Saudi Sale of DF-21 Missiles
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Citing a "well-placed intelligence source," the magazine reported that the CIA sanctioned the sale of the DF-21 mid-range ballistic missiles developed by the China Changfeng Mechanics and Electronics Technology Academy, but only after confirmation that they were not the nuclear-capable variants of the missiles.
The US support for the sale is said to be surprising given that previous Sino-Saudi arms deals in 1988 involving the DF-3, an earlier-version in the Dong Feng missile series, were publicly criticized by Washington.
The biggest advantage of the DF-21 is said to be their solid fuel, which allows the missiles to be launched quicker and with less maintenance costs. The missiles are capable of being launched from the roadside, though this is not believed to be particularly important to Saudi forces.
The CIA and the White House have declined to comment on the claims, while the Chinese and Saudi embassies in Washington did not respond to requests for comment.
