Al Sulayyil Missile Base
20°43'07"N 45°35'01"E
Imagery of Al Sulayyil Missile Base Launch Complex Area |
||
Click on the small image to view a larger version | ||
Credit: spaceimaging.com. Copyright (c) Space Imaging. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Online and news media distribution or publishing requires permission from Space Imaging. | ||
This imagery is published as a joint initiative with Yedioth Ahronoth, Israel's top daily newspaper, and its intelligence correspondent, Ronen Bergman.
|
||
![]() The CSS-2 IRBM launch complex located approximately 27 kilometers North of the desert oasis of Al Sulayyil, consists of a site support area and two launch areas located 6 kilometers apart. |
![]() This site support area was probably used in the construction and ongoing maintenance of both launch sites. Over 33 permanent and 36 semi-permanent building are visible. Only 8 buildings are large enough to accomodate the Chinese-built CSS-2 which is 24 meters long. It is doubtful that that these building are used to store missile airframes. |
|
![]() Launch Area A Each missile launch area is located in narrow canyons or wadis for cover and concealment. The facility consists of a missile support and checkout area, and a missile launch area with dispersed above-ground buildings and a prepared concrete launch pad. |
![]() Launch Area B This second launch area 6 kilometer south of Launch Area A, is almost identical in composition and layout. The missile support and checkout area has fewer buildings than its counterpart at Launch Area A. |
|
![]() Launch Area A The missile support area consists of a high-bay drive-through maintenance and checkout building measuring 25 x 60 meters, an auxillary drive-through building, and 8 probable support vehicle garages surrounding a double-ring road. Five support vehicles are visible. |
![]() Launch Area B A drive-through missile checkout building is located in the center with 4 probable vehicle garages surrounding a single ring road. Ten support vehicles are visible. |
|
![]() Launch Area A An unidentified earth-covered building 50 meters long near the missile support area. |
![]() Launch Area B An unidentified earth-covered building 50 meters long near the missile support area. This building is identical to one located at complex A. |
|
![]() Launch Area A There are two high-bay support buildings measuring 25 x 70 and 15 x 50 meters respectively. Also detected were 2 possible underground storage facilities of unknown size. It is unknown whether these entrances could accomodate CSS-2 missiles. The entrances could serve as launch pads. |
![]() Launch Area B Two high-bay support buildings measuring 25 x 70 and 15 x 50 meters respectively were detected at Launch Area B. Also detected were 2 possible underground storage facilities of unknown size. It is unknown whether these entrances could accomodate CSS-2 missiles. The entrances could serve as launch pads. These facilities are almost identical to those observed at Launch Area A. |
|
![]() A possible hardened vehicle garage located near the entrance of Launch Area A measuring 20 X 20 meters. |
![]() A possible missile turnout located near Launch Area A. |
|
![]() Entry control point for Launch Area B and a possible underground entrance. |
![]() Revetted vehicle garage located near the entrance of Launch Area B measuring 20 x 20 meters. |
NEWSLETTER
|
Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list |
|
|