Because most people don’t realize the Saudis themselves are now spending more on defense simply to protect the infrastructure that generates the revenue needed to finance the government.
Saudi military expenditures increased sharply this year as Riyadh was forced to defend oil facilities, shipping routes, pipelines, ports, and population centers.
That is money that produces NO ECONOMIC RETURN whatsoever.
A missile interceptor does not build a factory. It does not produce electricity. It does not create an export industry. It is consumed defending infrastructure from another weapon that probably cost a fraction of the price.
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