Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia – Satellite imagery shows the United States (US) alerting its Patriot air defense system using truck-based mobile launchers in Qatar, as tensions with Iran have escalated since the start of the year.
The move was observed at al-Udeid Air Base, the largest US military base in the Middle East. Based on analysis of satellite imagery in early February, the Patriot missile was seen mounted on an M983 Heavy Expanded Mobility Tactical Truck (HEMTT), replacing the commonly used semi-static launcher configuration.
Forensic image analyst from Contested Ground, William Goodhind, assessed that this deployment shows increased US military preparedness in the region.
“This decision gives the Patriot missile much greater mobility, so that it can be moved to alternative locations or repositioned at higher speeds,” said Goodhind, as quoted by Reuters, Wednesday (11/2/2026).
According to him, the use of mobile launchers allows the air defense system to be deployed more flexibly, both to face the threat of attack and as a preventive measure if the conflict with Iran escalates.
Tensions between Washington and Tehran have heated up again after US President Donald Trump threatened to attack Iran over its nuclear and ballistic missile programs, as well as Iran’s support for allied groups in the Middle East. However, diplomatic efforts to prevent open conflict are still ongoing.
Iran has previously warned it would carry out retaliatory attacks against US military bases in the region if its territory is attacked. Currently, the US has military bases in a number of Middle Eastern countries, including Qatar, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, United Arab Emirates (UAE), Oman, Turkey, as well as a strategic base in Diego Garcia, Indian Ocean.
Satellite imagery also shows increased US military activity at al-Udeid Air Base. The February 1 image shows one RC-135 reconnaissance aircraft, three C-130 Hercules aircraft, 18 KC-135 Stratotanker tankers, and seven C-17 heavy transport aircraft. This number is an increase compared to mid-January imagery which recorded 14 KC-135 aircraft and two C-17s.
In addition, up to 10 units of the Patriot air defense system were observed parked on top of the HEMTT in a ready-to-move condition. However, as of Tuesday local time, it could not be confirmed whether the entire system was still in the same location.
A Pentagon spokesperson has not provided an official statement regarding the findings of the satellite imagery.
On the other hand, Iran claims to have increased its missile stockpiles after a two-week conflict last summer, when Israel attacked nuclear facilities and a number of Iranian military targets, which was then followed by US military operations. Iran is known to have a network of underground missile complexes around Tehran, Kermanshah, Semnan, as well as the Gulf coast area.
Iran’s military activities are also monitored via satellite imagery. The Iranian Navy drone carrier, IRIS Shahid Bagheri, was spotted about 5 kilometers from Bandar Abbas on January 27 and was again monitored in the same area on February 10.
Meanwhile, an increase in the number of US military aircraft was also detected at a number of other bases in the Middle East, including in Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Oman and Diego Garcia, indicating increased US military preparedness amidst the heating up regional situation.
(tfa/tfa)
[Gambas:Video CNBC]
date:2026-02-11 00:10:00