US sets up 'shoot and scoot' configuration for Patriot systems near Iran

Satellite images reveal US Patriot launchers in Qatar are pre-attached to prime movers, seemingly to enhance mobility for rapid evacuation.

Images of Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan on 2/2 (right) show 17 F-15E multirole fighter jets, eight A-10 attack aircraft, four C-130 transport aircraft, and four helicopters. The 17/1 image's low resolution prevented identification of all aircraft.

Commercial satellite images from Planet Labs, taken earlier this month and analyzed by Reuters on 11/2, reveal a Patriot air defense system deployed at Al Udeid. This base, the largest US military outpost in the Middle East, is approximately 190 km from Iran. The battery was absent from this location in images captured on 17/1.

This deployment comes amid ongoing tensions between Washington and Tehran, sparked by protests in Iran that began in late 12/2025.

Satellite images released by Chinese company MizarVision on 10/2 show assets believed to be components of a Patriot system, including launchers, command vehicles, and radar, deployed at Muwaffaq Salti Air Base.

Satellite images show Patriot M901/903 launchers pre-attached to M983 prime movers, a departure from their usual semi-fixed, independent setup, according to analyst William Goodhind.

This configuration aims to provide "shoot and scoot" capability, enabling the system to rapidly relocate or reorganize if targeted. Goodhind noted, "This indicates the US is well aware of the risks in a potential conflict with Iran."

An M983 prime mover is shown attached to a Patriot launcher at Fort Cavazos, Texas, US, in 9/2025.

Military bases with US forces in the Middle East. *Graphics: BBC*

Satellite images of another section of Al Udeid base on 17/1 show 14 KC-135 refueling aircraft and two C-17 strategic transport aircraft.

By 1/2, the number of military aircraft had increased to 29, comprising one RC-135 reconnaissance aircraft, three C-130 transport aircraft, 18 KC-135 refueling aircraft, and seven C-17s.

The US also deployed one C-17 transport aircraft, one C-130, and four EA-18G electronic warfare fighter jets to another part of Muwaffaq Salti Air Base.

Images from 25/1 showed no aircraft in this area.

US C-5 and C-17 strategic transport aircraft were seen at Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia on 2/2 (right). Five aircraft, likely C-130s, were present in images taken on 6/12/2025.

Reuters reported the appearance of seven additional aircraft at the Diego Garcia outpost in the Indian Ocean between 31/1 and 6/2. Aircraft numbers at Dukhan Air Base in Oman also increased between 25/1 and 10/2, though Reuters did not publish those images.