Editing Armed Forces of Saudi Arabia

{{Short description|Combined military forces of Saudi Arabia}}
{{Use dmy dates
|date = August 2020}}
{{Use American English
|date = September 2020}}
{{Infobox national military
| name = Saudi Arabian Armed Forces
| native_name = {{Script/Arabic|القوات المسلحة السعودية}}
| image = [[File:Armed Forces of Saudi Arabia Emblem.svg |210px]]
| caption = Emblem of the Armed Forces
| image2 = Saudi Armed Forces Flag.svg
| alt2 = 
| caption2 = Flag of the Armed Forces
| motto = 
| founded = {{Start date and age|df=yes|1929}}<ref>{{Cite book |last=العثيمين |first=عبدالله الصالح |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=cDpvDwAAQBAJ&dq=%D8%AA%D8%A3%D8%B3%D9%8A%D8%B3+%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AC%D9%8A%D8%B4+%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B3%D8%B9%D9%88%D8%AF%D9%8A&pg=PT241 |title=تاريخ المملكة العربية السعودية الجزء الثاني |date=2018-09-04 |publisher=العبيكان للنشر |isbn=978-603-509-185-5 |language=ar|page=261}}</ref>
| current_form = 
| branches = {{plainlist|
* {{Army|Saudi Arabia|size=25px}}
* {{Naval|Saudi Arabia|size=25px}}
* {{Air force|Saudi Arabia|size=25px}}
* {{Flagicon image|Flag of the Royal Saudi Air Defense Forces.svg|size=25px}} [[Royal Saudi Air Defense]]
* {{Flagicon image|Flag of the Royal Saudi Strategic Missile Force.png|size=25px}} [[Royal Saudi Strategic Missile Force]]}}
| headquarters = [[Riyadh]]
| website = <!-- Leadership -->
| commander-in-chief = {{Flagicon image|Royal Standard of Saudi Arabia.svg|size=25px}} [[King of Saudi Arabia|King]] [[Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud]]
| commander-in-chief_title = [[Commander-in-chief|Supreme commander-in-chief]]
| minister = {{Flagicon image|Flag the Saudi Arabia Defense Minister.png|size=25px}} [[Khalid bin Salman]]
| minister_title = [[Ministry of Defense (Saudi Arabia)|Minister of Defense]]
| commander = {{Flagicon image|Chief of General Staff flag of the Saudi Armed Forces.svg|size=25px}} [[Air Chief Marshal]] [[Fayyadh Al Ruwaili]]
| commander_title = [[Chairman of the General Staff]]
<!-- Manpower -->| age = 17<ref name="TheWorldFactbook">{{cite web |title=The World Factbook |url=https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/fields/2024.html|publisher=Central Intelligence Agency |location=Langley, Virginia |access-date=6 April 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160322125136/https://www.cia.gov/library//publications/the-world-factbook/fields/2024.html |archive-date=22 March 2016 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
| conscription = No<ref name="The World Factbook">{{cite web |title=Middle East: Saudi Arabia |url=https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/saudi-arabia/ |work=The World Factbook |publisher=Central Intelligence Agency |location=Langley, Virginia |date=17 October 2018 |access-date=21 October 2018 |archive-date=27 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210827161956/https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/saudi-arabia/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
| manpower_data = 
| manpower_age = 
| available = 
| available_f = 
| fit = 
| fit_f = 
| reaching = 
| reaching_f = 
| active = 260,000 (2025)
| reserve = 
| deployed = 
| amount = $78 billion (2025)<ref name="Budget-2025">{{Cite web |date=2025-02-03 |title=Saudi Arabia increases defense spending to $78B in 2025|url=https://breakingdefense.com/2025/02/saudi-arabia-increases-defense-spending-to-78b-in-2025/ |access-date=2025-03-05|publisher=breakingdefense.com}}</ref><br /> ([[List of countries by military expenditures|ranked 5th]]) 
<!-- Industrial -->| domestic_suppliers = [[King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology|KACST]]<br />[[Military Industries Corporation (Saudi Arabia)|SAMIC]]<br />[[Saudi Arabian Military Industries|SAMI]]<br />[[Prince Sultan Advanced Technology Research Institute|PSATRI]]<br />[[Advanced Electronics Company Limited|SAEC]]
| foreign_suppliers = {{BRA}}<br />{{CAN}}<br />{{CHN}}<br />{{CZE}}<br />{{FRA}}<br />{{GER}}<br />{{IND}}<br />{{INA}}<br />{{ITA}}<br />{{JPN}}<br />{{KOR}}<br />{{NED}}<br />{{POL}}<br />{{RUS}}<br />{{SIN}}<br />{{RSA}}<br />{{SWE}}<br />{{TWN}}<br />{{TUR}}<br />{{UKR}}<br />{{UK}}<br />{{USA}}
| imports = 
| exports = <!-- Related aricles -->
| history = *[[List of wars involving Saudi Arabia|List of Wars]]
*[[List of rulers of Saudi Arabia|Top leaders]]
| ranks = [[Saudi Arabian military ranks|KSA military ranks]]
}}

The '''Saudi Arabian Armed Forces''' ('''SAAF''') ({{Langx|ar|<small>{{Script/Arabic|القُوَّات العَرَبِيَّة المُسَلَّحَة السُّعُودِيَّة}}</small>|Al-Quwwat al-Arabīyah al-Musallahah as-Su’ūdiyah}}), also known as the '''Royal Saudi Armed Forces''' ({{langx|ar|القُوَّات المُسَلَّحَة المَلكِيَّة السُّعُودِيَّة|Al-Quwwat al-Musallahah al-Malakiyah as-Su’ūdiyah}}), is part of the [[Saudi Arabian Military Forces|military forces]] of the [[Saudi Arabia|Kingdom of Saudi Arabia]]. It consists of the [[Saudi Arabian Land Forces|Royal Saudi Army]], the [[Royal Saudi Navy]], the [[Royal Saudi Air Force]], the [[Royal Saudi Air Defense]], and the [[Royal Saudi Strategic Missile Force]]. The [[King of Saudi Arabia]] is the [[commander-in-chief]] of all the military forces and forms military policy with the [[Ministry of Defense (Saudi Arabia)|Ministry of Defense]] and the [[Ministry of Interior (Saudi Arabia)|Ministry of Interior]]. The five Armed Forces are among eight [[Saudi Arabian Military Forces|military forces]] of Saudi Arabia, with the others including the [[Saudi Arabian National Guard|Royal Saudi National Guard]] (under the administrative control of the [[Ministry of National Guard]]), the [[Saudi Royal Guard Regiment|Royal Saudi Guard Regiment]] and the [[Saudi Arabian Border Guards|Royal Saudi Border Guards]].

The Royal Saudi Armed Forces are one of the best-funded in the world,<ref name="Business Insider">http://uk.businessinsider.com/saudi-arabia-spends-25-of-its-budget-on-its-military-2015-12" {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160102192738/http://uk.businessinsider.com/saudi-arabia-spends-25-of-its-budget-on-its-military-2015-12 |date=2 January 2016 }}, 31 December 2015,</ref> having the [[List of countries by military expenditures|world's sixth largest defense budget]].<ref name="IISS">{{cite book | title = The Military Balance 2021| author1 = International Institute for Strategic Studies| author-link1 = International Institute for Strategic Studies| date = 25 February 2021| publisher = [[Routledge]]| location = [[London]]| isbn = 978-1032012278| ref = IISS2021}}</ref>

==History==
The first steps towards building an institutionalised armed force for Saudi Arabia began in the 1940s, when Saudi regulars numbered perhaps 1,000–1,500, Gaub saying that officers mostly came from the Ottoman troops who had served the [[Sharif of Mecca]] before he was expelled in 1924.<ref>{{cite book|last=Gaub|first=Florence|title=Guardians of the Arab State: When militaries intervene in politics, from Iraq to Mauritania|publisher=Oxford University Press|year=2017|page=156|isbn= 9781849046480}}</ref> A [[Ministry of Defense (Saudi Arabia)|Ministry of Defense]] was created in 1943; a military school founded in [[Taif]], and the United Kingdom began efforts to try to build a professional force. After the failure of this UK programme, a subsequent U.S. programme which ran from 1951 also failed to reach its objective (the creation for three to five [[Regimental Combat Team]]s). Growth of the armed forces was slowed to some 7,500–10,000 by 1953. Continued enlargement came to a halt in the late 1950s due to internal Saudi power struggles (including two plots by senior officers) and geo-political concerns, namely the [[Free Officers Movement (Egypt)|Free Officers]] [[Egyptian revolution of 1952|Revolution in Egypt]] followed by a [[14 July Revolution|brutal Baathist coup]] in Iraq, wherein expanded post-colonial Arab armies overthrew the domestic monarchies they had sworn allegiance to in 1952 and 1958, respectively. These events led the Saudis to the  conclusion that the military could pose a greater threat than their neighbors. In the decades that followed, though the Kingdom experienced  economic expansion and modernization; the Royal Armed Forces remained small. From the late 1950s to the late 1970s, the Saudis  expanded and modernized their military but at a slow pace. In 1969, South Yemeni [[Al-Wadiah War|forces attacked]] the Kingdom along the border but were swiftly defeated by Royal and allied forces. When the [[Yom Kippur War|Yom-Kippur War]] broke out in 1973, Saudi Arabia used "[[1973 oil crisis|Oil as a weapon]]", to aid the Arab cause;<ref>Smith, Charles D. (2006), Palestine and the Arab–Israeli Conflict, New York: Bedford, p. 329.</ref> this strategy significantly influenced world opinion against Israel though to what extent is remains unclear.<ref>Myre, Greg. “The 1973 Arab Oil Embargo: The Old Rules No Longer Apply“ (October 16, 2013). ''National Public Radio''. www.npr.org/sections/parallels/2013/10/15/234771573/the-1973-arab-oil-embargo-the-old-rules-no-longer-apply Retrieved January 20, 2021.</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.e-ir.info/2014/12/28/was-the-oil-weapon-effective-in-achieving-the-arab-states-goals-in-1973-74/|title = Was the 'Oil Weapon' Effective in Achieving the Arab States' Goals in 1973–74?|date = 28 December 2014}}</ref><ref>Daoudi, M. S.; Dajani, M. S. (January 1984). "The 1967 Oil Embargo Revisited". Journal of Palestine Studies. 13 (#2): 65–90. doi:10.2307/2536897. ISSN 0377-919X. JSTOR 2536897.</ref> Following these successes, the Saudis would pursue only limited increased support for their armed forces in the wake of the [[Grand Mosque Seizure]] in 1979. In the 1980s Saudi Arabia became a major source of financial but not military assistance, for the [[Mujahideen]] [[Soviet–Afghan War|in Afghanistan]],<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.arabnews.com/node/1661431. |title="The Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan". ''Arab News'' (April 19, 2020). Retrieved 20 January 2021. |access-date=18 May 2021 |archive-date=5 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220405164729/https://www.arabnews.com/node/1661431. |url-status=live }}</ref> and the regime of [[Saddam Hussein]] in its [[Iran–Iraq War|war against]] [[Iranian Revolution|Revolutionary Iran]].<ref>"Annex D: Iraq Economic Data (1989–2003)". Comprehensive Report of the Special Advisor to the DCI [Director of Central Intelligence] on Iraq's WMD. 1 of 3. Central Intelligence Agency. 27 April 2007</ref><ref>Pike, John (ed.). "Iraq debt: Non-Paris Club Creditors". Archived from the original on 12 October 2017. Retrieved 20 January 2021.</ref> The [[Gulf War|1991 Gulf War]] saw the greatest threat to the Kingdom in modern history and the largest deployment of Saudi Armed Forces in history, with all levels of the Saudi military actively participating as part of the [[Coalition of the Gulf War|U.N. coalition against Iraq]].

In 1987, members of the air force, army, and navy used to be mainly recruits from groups of people without a strong identity from the [[Nejd]] tribal system and people from urban areas.<ref>{{cite book|last=Mackey|author-link=Sandra Mackey|first=Sandra|title=The Saudis: Inside the Desert Kingdom|page=207|publisher=W.W. Norton|year=2002|isbn=9780393324174}}</ref>

[[Abdullah of Saudi Arabia|King Abdullah]] increasingly moved towards comprehensive military reform following what he considered a failed response by Saudi forces to [[Operation Scorched Earth|Houthi incursions in 2009]].<ref>Abeer Allam (21 April 2013). "Saudi king sacks deputy defence minister". Financial Times. Abu Dhabi. Retrieved 20 January 2021.</ref>

In the early 2010s, after almost 20 years of relatively modest increases in military spending, the Saudi government embarked an unprecedented expansion of the Kingdom's armed forces.<ref>"Data for all countries from 1988–2018 in constant (2017) USD (pdf)" (PDF). SIPRI. Retrieved 20 January 2021.</ref><ref>Tian, Nan; Fleurant, Aude; Kuimova, Alexandra; Wezeman, Pieter D.; Wezeman, Siemon T. (27 April 2020). "Trends in World Military Expenditure, 2019" (PDF). Stockholm International Peace Research Institute. Retrieved 20 January 2021.</ref> This shift in policy was spear-headed primarily by [[Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia|Crown Prince]] [[Mohammed bin Salman]], who took over as Defense Minister in 2015.<ref>"Saudi King Abdullah passes away". ''Al Arabiya'', (23 January 2015). Archived from the original on 23 January 2015. Retrieved January 20, 2021.</ref> It is believed the continued high level expansion of the Saudi Armed Forces was a response to not only short term threats (including incursions by Yemeni rebels and the rise of ISIS) but long term regional strategic concerns, namely the increasing strength of Iran and the uncertain future of America's role in the region.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-03-01/saudi-military-gets-the-mbs-treatment |title=Saudi Prince's Big Military Revamp Means Billions to Business |first=Glen |last=Carey |date=1 March 2018 |publisher=Bloomberg |access-date=2022-04-05}}</ref>

In 2019, the government of Saudi Arabia stated that women can start working in the military. In the past they could only work in police.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://m.khaleejtimes.com/region/saudi-arabia/saudi-women-can-now-join-the-armed-forces|title=Saudi women can now join the armed forces|work=Khaleej Times|date=3 October 2019|access-date=16 May 2020}}</ref>

==Military services==
The armed forces are mainly the responsibility of the [[Minister of Defense (Saudi Arabia)|Ministry of Defense and Aviation]], which also oversees the construction of [[List of airports in Saudi Arabia|civilian airports]] as well as [[military base]]s, and [[meteorology]] departments.

[[Sultan bin Abdul Aziz|Crown Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz]] was Saudi Arabia's Minister of Defense and Aviation from 1962 to 2011. The vice minister, [[Abd al-Rahman bin Abdul Aziz|Abdulrahman bin Abdulaziz]], was his full brother and served until November 2011. His oldest son, [[Khalid bin Sultan]], was appointed assistant minister in 2001 and was in office until April 2013.

==Defense spending==
[[File:2018 Military Expenditures by Country.png|thumb|A pie chart showing global military expenditures by country for 2018, in US$ billions, according to the International Institute for Strategic Studies.]]
Spending on defense and security has increased significantly since the mid-1990s and was about US$67&nbsp;billion in 2013. Saudi Arabia ranks among the top five nations in the world in government spending for its military, representing about 9% of GDP in 2013. Its modern, high-technology arsenal makes Saudi Arabia among the world's most densely armed nations, with its military equipment being supplied primarily by the United States, France, and Britain.<ref name="Library of Congress 2006">[http://lcweb2.loc.gov/frd/cs/profiles/Saudi_Arabia.pdf "Country Profile: Saudi Arabia"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110116081700/http://lcweb2.loc.gov/frd/cs/profiles/Saudi_Arabia.pdf |date=16 January 2011 }}, September 2006, United States Library of Congress</ref> According to [[SIPRI]], in 2010–14 Saudi Arabia became the world's second largest arms importer, receiving four times more major arms than in 2005–2009. Major imports in 2010–14 included 45 combat aircraft from the United Kingdom, 38 combat helicopters from the U.S., 4 tanker aircraft from Spain and over 600 armored vehicles from Canada. Saudi Arabia has a long list of outstanding orders for arms, including 27 more combat aircraft from the United Kingdom, 154 combat aircraft from the U.S. and a large number of armoured vehicles from Canada.<ref>{{cite web|title=Trends in International Arms Transfer, 2014|url=http://books.sipri.org/product_info?c_product_id=495|publisher=Stockholm International Peace Research Institute|access-date=18 March 2015|ref=SIPRI Fact Sheet, March 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150319023856/http://books.sipri.org/product_info?c_product_id=495|archive-date=19 March 2015}}</ref>

The United States sold more than $80&nbsp;billion in military hardware between 1951 and 2006 to the Saudi military.<ref>[https://fas.org/asmp/profiles/saudi_arabia.htm "Saudi Arabia"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101111112056/https://fas.org/asmp/profiles/saudi_arabia.htm |date=11 November 2010 }}, Federation of American Scientists</ref> In comparison, the [[Israel Defense Forces]] received $53.6&nbsp;billion in U.S. military grants between 1949 and 2007.<ref>{{cite web |author=Pierre Tristam Middle East Issues Expert |url=http://middleeast.about.com/od/saudiarabia/a/saudi-arabia-military-aid.htm |title=U.S. Arms Sales to Saudi Arabia |publisher=Middleeast.about.com |access-date=21 November 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110112044440/http://middleeast.about.com/od/saudiarabia/a/saudi-arabia-military-aid.htm |archive-date=12 January 2011 |url-status=dead}}</ref> On 20 October 2010, [[U.S. State Department]] notified Congress of its intention to make the biggest arms sale in American history—an estimated $60.5&nbsp;billion purchase by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The package represented a considerable improvement in the offensive capability of the Saudi armed forces.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jcpa.org/JCPA/Templates/ShowPage.asp?DRIT=1&DBID=1&LNGID=1&TMID=111&FID=376&PID=0&IID=5177&TTL=Arms_for_the_King_and_His_Family:_The_U.S._Arms_Sale_to_Saudi_Arabia|title=Arms for the King and His Family: The U.S. Arms Sale to Saudi Arabia|work=Jerusalem Center For Public Affairs|access-date=25 December 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101205012554/http://www.jcpa.org/JCPA/Templates/ShowPage.asp?DRIT=1&DBID=1&LNGID=1&TMID=111&FID=376&PID=0&IID=5177&TTL=Arms_for_the_King_and_His_Family%3A_The_U.S._Arms_Sale_to_Saudi_Arabia|archive-date=5 December 2010|url-status=dead}}</ref> The United States emphasized that the arms transfer would increase "interoperability" with U.S. forces. In the [[Gulf War|Persian Gulf War]], having U.S.-trained Saudi Arabian forces, along with military installations built to U.S. specifications, allowed the U.S. military to deploy in a comfortable and familiar battle environment. This new deal would increase these capabilities, as an advanced American military infrastructure is about to be built.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.susris.com/2010/09/17/us-saudi-security-cooperation-impact-of-arms-sales |title=US-Saudi Security Cooperation, Impact of Arms Sales |author=Anthony H. Cordesman |author-link=Anthony H. Cordesman |publisher=[[Saudi-U.S. Relations Information Service]] |date=17 September 2010 |access-date=16 November 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110113053126/http://www.susris.com/2010/09/17/us-saudi-security-cooperation-impact-of-arms-sales/ |archive-date=13 January 2011 |url-status=usurped}}</ref> The U.S. government was also in talks with Saudi Arabia about the potential sale of advanced naval and missile-defense upgrades.<ref>[https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052748704621204575488361149625050 "Saudi Arms Deal Advances"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171116023109/https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052748704621204575488361149625050 |date=16 November 2017 }}, ''Wall Street Journal''</ref>

The United Kingdom has also been a major supplier of military equipment to Saudi Arabia since 1965.<ref>{{cite book|last=Gardner|first=Charles |title=British Aircraft Corporation. A history by Charles Gardner|year=1981|publisher=B.T. Batsford Ltd |isbn=978-0-7134-3815-4|pages=224–249 }}</ref><!--|access-date=19 August 2006|Tornado]] and [[Eurofighter Typhoon]] combat aircraft—and other equipment as part of the long-term [[Al-Yamamah arms deal]] estimated to have been worth £43&nbsp;billion by 2006 and thought to be worth a further £40&nbsp;billion.<ref>{{cite news |last=O'Connell |first=Dominic |title=BAE cashes in on £40bn Arab jet deal |work=The Sunday Times |date=20 August 2006 |url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2095-2320097,00.html |access-date=22 August 2006 |location=London |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080907153551/http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2095-2320097,00.html |archive-date=7 September 2008 |url-status=dead}}-->

In 2014, Canada won a contract worth at least US$10&nbsp;billion to supply the Saudi Arabian army with armored military vehicles.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2014/02/14/saudi-arabia-canada-military_n_4790626.html|title=Saudi Arabia, Canada Sign Landmark US$10B Military Vehicle Deal|date=14 February 2014|work=HuffPost|access-date=18 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180119120114/http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2014/02/14/saudi-arabia-canada-military_n_4790626.html|archive-date=19 January 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Service branches==
===Army===
{{main|Royal Saudi Land Forces}}
[[File:Saudi UH-60 Desert Storm.JPEG|thumbnail|Saudi Arabian army [[UH-60]] Blackhawk helicopter during [[Operation Desert Shield (Gulf War)|Operation Desert Shield]]]]
The [[Royal Saudi Land Forces]] are composed of three armored brigades, five mechanized brigades, one airborne brigade, one Royal Guard brigade, and eight artillery battalions. The army also has one aviation command with two aviation brigades.<ref name="Library of Congress 2006"/>

The army's main equipment consists of a combination of French- and U.S.-made armored vehicles: 315 M–1A2 Abrams, 290 [[AMX–30]], and 450 [[M60A3]] main battle tanks; 300 reconnaissance vehicles; 570+ AMX–10P and 400 M–2 Bradley armored infantry fighting vehicles; 3,000+ M113 and 100 Al-Fahd armored personnel carriers, produced in Saudi Arabia; 200+ towed artillery pieces; 110 self-propelled artillery pieces; 60 multiple rocket launchers; 400 mortars; 10 surface-to-surface missiles; about 2,000 antitank guided weapons; about 200 rocket launchers; 450 recoilless launchers; 12 attack helicopters; 50+ transport helicopters; and 1,000 surface-to-air missiles.<ref name="Library of Congress 2006"/>

In 1996 Saudi Arabia had military cities in the northeast, the [[King Khalid Military City]], at Tabuk, at Dharhran, and at Abha in the southwest. There was a 1996 report that construction of a military city at [[Jizan]], orientated toward Yemen, had begun with Defense Minister Prince Sultan pouring the first concrete on 8 May 1996.<ref>James Bruce, "Saudis building military city on Yemen border", ''[[Jane's Defence Weekly]]'', 15 May 1996, p.3</ref>

The [[Library of Congress Country Study]] for Saudi Arabia, issued in 1992, noted that "[t]he army has been chronically under strength, in the case of some units by an estimated 30 to 50 percent. These shortages have been aggravated by a relaxed policy that permitted considerable absenteeism and by a serious problem of retaining experienced technicians and [[non-commissioned officers]].<ref>{{cite book|last=Metz|first=Helen C|author-link=Helen Chapin Metz |title=Area Handbook Series: Saudi Arabia. A Country Study.|publisher=FEDERAL RESEARCH DIV, [[Library of Congress]]|location=Washington DC|year=1992|page=253|isbn=9780844407913}}</ref>

===Navy===
{{main|Royal Saudi Navy}}
[[File:Frigate Al Makkah.jpg|thumb|right|''Makkah'', an [[La Fayette-class frigate#Al Riyadh class: Saudi Arabia|''Al Riyadh''-class]] frigate]]
The navy is divided into two fleets: the Western Fleet has bases in [[Jeddah]], [[Jizan]], and [[Al Wajh]]; the Eastern Fleet has bases in [[Al Jubayl]], [[Ad Dammam]], [[Ras Mishab Airport|Ras Mishab]], and Ras al Ghar. The marines are organized into one infantry regiment with two battalions.<ref name="Library of Congress 2006"/>

The navy's inventory includes 11 principal [[surface combatants]], 65 patrol and coastal combatants, 7 mine warfare vessels, 8 amphibious craft, and 7 support and miscellaneous craft. Naval aviation forces have 19 helicopters (armed) serving in naval support.<ref name="Library of Congress 2006"/>

===Air Force===
{{main|Royal Saudi Air Force}}
[[File:RSAF Typhoon at Malta - Gordon Zammit.jpg|thumbnail|[[Eurofighter Typhoon]]]]
The air force is organized in seven fighter/ground-attack squadrons, six fighter squadrons, and seven training squadrons. Saudi Arabia has at least 15 active military airfields.<ref name="Library of Congress 2006"/>

As of 2011, Saudi Arabia has around 300 combat aircraft. The kingdom's combat aircraft are newly acquired [[Eurofighter Typhoon|Typhoon]]s and upgraded [[Panavia Tornado|Tornado IDS]], [[McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle|F-15 Eagle]] and [[McDonnell Douglas F-15E Strike Eagle|F-15E Strike Eagle]] fighter planes. Saudi Arabia has a further 80+ F-15 Eagles on order and an option to buy another 72 Typhoons.

===Air Defense===
{{main|Royal Saudi Air Defense}}
[[File:3- Saudi Arabia Armed Forces (My Trip To Al-Jenadriyah 32).jpg|thumbnail|Saudi MIM-104 Patriot on display]]
Air Defense was part of the Army until 1981 when it was made a separate service. It operates "Peace Shield" a state-of-the-art radar and air defense system consisting of a Command Operations Center at [[Riyadh]], and main operating bases at [[Dhahran]], [[Taif]], [[Tabuk, Saudi Arabia|Tabuk]], [[Khamis Mushait]] and [[Al Kharj]]. The total system includes 164 sites.<ref name="janes.com">[http://www.janes.com/articles/Janes-Military-Communications/Peace-Shield-Saudi-Arabia.html "Peace Shield (Saudi Arabia), Systems"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100928042231/http://www.janes.com/articles/Janes-Military-Communications/Peace-Shield-Saudi-Arabia.html |date=28 September 2010 }}, ''[[Jane's Military Communications]]'', 5 July 2005. Retrieved 23 January 2012</ref>

The system equipment comprises 17 General Electric [[AN/FPS-117]] long-range [[3D radar]]s, 6 Northrop Grumman [[AN/TPS-43]] tactical radars, and Raytheon [[Improved HAWK]] air defense missile system.<ref name="janes.com"/>

===Strategic Missile Force===
{{main|Royal Saudi Strategic Missile Force}}
The Royal Saudi Strategic Missile Forces (RSSMF) is equipped with the Chinese [[DF-3A]] (CSS-2) Dongfeng missile sold to Saudi Arabia by China. A conventional high-explosive warhead (2150&nbsp;kg) variant of the DongFeng 3A Intermediate-Range Ballistic Missile was developed for an export order to Saudi Arabia in 1987. About 30+ missiles and 9~12 launchers were reportedly delivered in 1988, though no known test launch has ever been made in the country.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://defense-update.com/20140502_saudi-arabia-unveils-part-strategic-missile-force-deterrent-move-iran.html|title=Saudi Arabia unveils part of strategic missile force – a deterrent move against Iran?|access-date=16 May 2020|date=2 May 2014|archive-date=12 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190512185009/https://defense-update.com/20140502_saudi-arabia-unveils-part-strategic-missile-force-deterrent-move-iran.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>SinoDefence [http://www.sinodefence.com/strategic/missile/df3.asp "DongFeng 3 (CSS-2) Intermediate-Range Ballistic Missile"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130814034822/http://www.sinodefence.com/strategic/missile/df3.asp |date=14 August 2013 }}, ''[[sinodefence]]'', 27 February 2009.</ref>
IISS Military Balance 2022 estimates that the SMF has 2,500 personnel. Probably it is separate branch officially called Strategic Missile Forces (guessing by its website URL http://www.smf.gov.sa/ {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130115054542/http://smf.gov.sa/ |date=15 January 2013 }}).

It certainly has one advanced [[Al-Watah ballistic missile base]] (found on the [[satellite images]]) in the rocky central part of Saudi Arabia, some 200&nbsp;km south-west of the capital city [[Riyadh]].<ref>Sean O'Connor, [http://www.janes.com/article/24321/saudi-ballistic-missile-site-revealed "Saudi ballistic missile site revealed"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130714123900/http://www.janes.com/article/24321/saudi-ballistic-missile-site-revealed |date=14 July 2013 }}, ''IHS [[Jane's Defence Weekly]]'', 10 July 2013.</ref> Two other bases include [[Al Sulayyil ballistic missile base]] (the older base located 450&nbsp;km southwest of Riyadh) and Al Jufayr base (placed 90&nbsp;km south of Riyadh) share many similarities, suggesting that they share the same role.

==Armed Forces Medical Service==

Armed Forces Medical Service of Saudi Arabia provides medical services to all members of the Armed Forces. It is led by a Director General and is responsible for 24 military hospitals across Saudi Arabia.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://military-medicine.com/almanac/107-saudi-arabia-kingdom-of.html|title=SAUDI ARABIA, KINGDOM OF|access-date=16 May 2020|work=militar-medicine.com}}</ref>

The service operates aero lift operations with its own fleet of aircraft:
* [[Lockheed Martin]] VC-130H flying hospital
* [[Bell 212]] helicopter
* [[Aerospatile Dolphin 365]]N helicopter
* [[Sikorsky UH60]] Desert Hawk helicopter
* [[Learjet]]
* [[Gulfstream G3]]
* [[Gulfstream G4]]
* [[Gulfstream G5]]

==Major military operations==
===Grand Mosque seizure===
In 1979, Islamic extremists took control of the Grand Mosque in [[Mecca]]. The extremists were led by Juhayman Al Otaiba and held many worshippers hostage for weeks.

With the help of Pakistani and Western troops, the Saudi military captured the terrorists inside the Grand Mosque.<ref>{{Cite news|url = https://www.bbc.com/news/stories-50852379|title = Mecca 1979: The mosque siege that changed the course of Saudi history|work = BBC News|date = 27 December 2019|access-date = 11 July 2020|archive-date = 17 July 2020|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200717111926/https://www.bbc.com/news/stories-50852379|url-status = live}}</ref>

===Gulf War===
[[File:DesertStormMap v2.svg|thumb|350px|Desert Storm, the 1991 liberation of [[Kuwait]] and military invasion of [[Iraq]], was launched from Saudi Arabian territory and Saudi Arabian forces participated in the operation]]
When [[Ba'athist Iraq|Iraq]] invaded Saudi Arabia's northern neighbor [[Kuwait]] in 1990, [[Saudi Arabia]] immediately requested the deployment of U.S. troops within the country to deter further aggression. Saudi forces participated in the subsequent [[Persian Gulf War|Operation Desert Storm]]: Saudi pilots flew more than 7,000 sorties and Saudi troops took part in the [[Battle of Khafji|battles around the Saudi town of Ras al-Khafji]].<ref name="Encyclopaedia Britannica Online: Saudi Arabia History">{{cite encyclopedia|url=https://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/525348/Saudi-Arabia/214601/History?anchor=ref484613|title=Saudi Arabia|encyclopedia=Encyclopædia Britannica|access-date=25 December 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131219020050/https://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/525348/Saudi-Arabia/214601/History?anchor=ref484613|archive-date=19 December 2013|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Operation Southern Watch===
{{main|Operation Southern Watch}}
Since the [[Gulf War]], the United States stationed 5,000 troops in Saudi Arabia, a figure that rose to 10,000 during the [[Iraq War|2003 conflict in Iraq]].<ref name="bbc">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/2984547.stm |title=US pulls out of Saudi Arabia |access-date=29 November 2009 |work=BBC News|date=29 April 2003 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100106000947/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/2984547.stm |archive-date=6 January 2010 | url-status=live}}</ref>
Operation Southern Watch enforced the [[Iraqi no-fly zones|no-fly zones]] over southern Iraq set up after 1991, as well, the country's oil exports through the shipping lanes of the [[Persian Gulf]] are protected by the [[United States Fifth Fleet]] based in [[Bahrain]]. It was conducted by [[Joint Task Force Southwest Asia]] (JTF-SWA) with the mission of monitoring and controlling airspace south of the [[32nd parallel north|32nd Parallel]] (extended to the [[33rd parallel north|33rd Parallel]] in 1996) in [[Ba'athist Iraq|Iraq]], following the 1991 [[Persian Gulf War]] until the [[2003 invasion of Iraq]].

This was one of the stated motivations behind the [[September 11 attacks]],<ref name="bbc"/> as well as the [[Khobar Towers bombing]].<ref>Plotz, David (2001) [http://www.slate.com/default.aspx?id=115404 "What Does Osama Bin Laden Want?"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071112204455/http://www.slate.com/default.aspx?id=115404 |date=12 November 2007 }}, ''Slate''</ref> Bin Laden interpreted the Islamic prophet, [[Muhammad]] as banning the "permanent presence of infidels in Arabia".<ref name="holywar-p3">{{cite book|last=Bergen|first=Peter L. |title=Holy War Inc. |publisher=Simon & Schuster |year=2001 |page=3}}</ref>

===Houthi insurgency in Yemen===
{{main|Houthi–Saudi Arabian conflict|Operation Scorched Earth|Saudi Arabian-led intervention in Yemen}}
On 5 November 2009, the [[Royal Saudi Land Forces]] launched a sweeping ground offensive against Yemen's Shiite [[Houthi]] rebels after they crossed the Saudi border to outflank the Yemeni Army, which had launched a [[Operation Scorched Earth|military campaign]] [[Houthi insurgency in Yemen|against the Houthis]] to control and pacify the northern Yemeni mountains, and killed two Saudi border guards. The Saudi forces relied heavily on air power and artillery to soften the rebels without risking their men. The Saudi Army lost 133 soldiers in the fighting against the rebels, with most of the casualties occurring when ground forces tried to move into areas that had been softened by shelling that "raised alarms across the [[Sunni Arab]] world about the possibility that [[Iran]] might be supporting the Yemeni rebels".<ref name=worth>{{cite news|author1=Robert F. Worth|title=Saudi Border With Yemen Is Still Inviting for Al Qaeda|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/27/world/middleeast/27saudi.html?pagewanted=all|work=The New York Times|date=26 October 2010|access-date=24 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160724015945/http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/27/world/middleeast/27saudi.html?pagewanted=all|archive-date=24 July 2016|url-status=live}}</ref>

== Ranks ==
{{Main|Saudi Arabian military ranks}}

==Military industry==
The vast majority of Saudi Arabia's military equipment is imported from the Western world.<ref name="Library of Congress 2006" />  The United States sold more than $80 billion in military hardware between 1951 and 2006 to the Saudi military.<ref>{{cite web |title=Saudi Arabia |url=https://fas.org/asmp/profiles/saudi_arabia.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101111112056/https://fas.org/asmp/profiles/saudi_arabia.htm |archive-date=11 November 2010 |access-date=11 November 2010 |website=fas.org}}</ref> 2013 saw Saudi military spending climb to $67bn, overtaking that of the UK, France and Japan to place fourth globally.<ref name="AJE 2013 spending">[http://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2014/04/saudi-leads-middle-east-military-spending-201441411547583667.html "Saudis lead Middle East military spending"]. 14 April 2014. [[Al Jazeera Media Network|Al Jazeera]].</ref> The United Kingdom has also been a major supplier of military equipment to Saudi Arabia since 1965.<ref>{{cite book |last=Gardner |first=Charles |title=British Aircraft Corporation |publisher=B.T. Batsford Ltd |year=1981 |isbn=978-0-7134-3815-4 |pages=224–249}}</ref> Since 1985, the UK has supplied military aircraft—notably the [[Panavia Tornado|Tornado]] and [[Eurofighter Typhoon]] combat aircraft—and other equipment as part of the long-term [[Al-Yamamah arms deal]] estimated to have been worth £43 billion by 2006 and thought to be worth a further £40 billion.<ref>{{cite news |last=O'Connell |first=Dominic |date=20 August 2006 |title=BAE cashes in on £40bn Arab jet deal |work=The Sunday Times |place=London |url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2095-2320097,00.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20080907153551/http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2095-2320097,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=7 September 2008}}</ref> In 2012, British defence giant BAE signed a £1.9bn ($3bn) deal to supply Hawk trainer jets to Saudi Arabia.<ref>{{cite news |date=23 May 2012 |title=Saudi Arabia |work=Reuters |url=http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-saudi-britain-defence-idUKBRE84M0JN20120523|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160608095231/http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-saudi-britain-defence-idUKBRE84M0JN20120523|url-status=dead|archive-date=8 June 2016}}</ref>

According to the [[Stockholm International Peace Research Institute]], in 2010–14 Saudi Arabia became the world's second-largest arms importer, receiving four times more major arms than in 2005–2009. Major imports in 2010–14 included 45 combat aircraft from the UK, 38 combat helicopters from the U.S., four tanker aircraft from Spain, and over 600 armoured vehicles from Canada. Saudi Arabia received 41% of UK arms exports in 2010–14.<ref>"[http://www.defensenews.com/story/defense/policy-budget/budget/2015/03/22/saudi-uae-influence-grows-with-purchases/25013385/ Saudi, UAE Influence Grows With Purchases]". Defense News. 22 March 2015.</ref> France authorized $18 billion in weapons sales to Saudi Arabia in 2015 alone.<ref name="Salon">"[http://www.salon.com/2016/08/30/rights-group-blasts-u-s-hypocrisy-in-vast-flood-of-weapons-to-saudi-arabia-despite-war-crimes/ Rights group blasts U.S. "hypocrisy" in "vast flood of weapons" to Saudi Arabia, despite war crimes]". ''Salon''. 30. August 2016.</ref> The $15 billion arms deal with Saudi Arabia is believed to be the largest arms sale in Canadian history.<ref>{{cite news |date=27 April 2016 |title=Human rights groups ask Trudeau to end 'immoral' arms deal with Saudi Arabia |work=[[The Globe and Mail]] |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/saudi-arms-deal-breaks-canadas-export-controls-opponents-argue/article29769283/}}</ref> In 2016, the [[European Parliament]] decided to temporarily impose an arms embargo against Saudi Arabia, as a result of the [[Yemen]] civilian population's suffering from the [[Saudi-led intervention in the Yemeni civil war|conflict with Saudi Arabia]].<ref>[http://www.middleeasteye.net/news/eu-parliament-passes-unprecedented-call-arms-embargo-against-saudi-arabia-1801277252 EU Parliament – unprecedented call arms embargo against Saudi Arabia], Middle East Eye 25 February 2016</ref> In 2017, Saudi Arabia signed a [[2017 United States–Saudi Arabia arms deal|110 billion dollar arms deal with the United States]]. Saudi Arabia is Britain's largest arms customer, with more than £4.6 billion worth of arms bought since the start of Saudi-led coalition in Yemen. According to a report from the [[Global Affairs Canada]], a record-breaking amount of military hardware was sold to Saudi Arabia in 2019, despite its poor human rights record.<ref>{{cite web |date=9 June 2020 |title=Canada doubles weapons sales to Saudi Arabia despite moratorium |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/jun/09/canada-doubles-weapons-sales-to-saudi-arabia-despite-moratorium |access-date=9 June 2020 |website=The Guardian}}</ref>

Following the [[assassination of Jamal Khashoggi]], a nonbinding resolution was passed in the European Parliament on 25 October 2018, urging EU countries to impose an EU-wide arms embargo on Saudi Arabia.<ref>{{cite news |title=European Parliament passes resolution urging arms embargo on Saudi Arabia |newspaper=The Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/europe/european-parliament-passes-resolution-urging-arms-embargo-on-saudi-arabia/2018/10/25/cb324140-3172-4dc8-b373-4acc065fdb69_story.html |access-date=25 October 2018}}</ref> Germany became the first Western government to suspend future arms deal with the kingdom after [[Angela Merkel]] stated that "arms exports can't take place in the current circumstances."<ref>{{cite news |title=Germany plans to suspend arms sales to Saudis; other European countries press for more information on Khashoggi's killing |newspaper=The Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/europe/european-leaders-press-for-answers-on-jamal-khashoggi-killing/2018/10/22/9581aeaa-d606-11e8-8384-bcc5492fef49_story.html |access-date=22 October 2018}}</ref>

The [[Al-Fahd Infantry fighting vehicle]] and the [[Al-Faris 8-400|Al-Faris 8–400 armored personnel carrier]], used by Saudi land forces, were manufactured by the Abdallah Al Faris Company for Heavy Industries, based in [[Dammam]].
Also, Al-Kaser and Al-Mansour armored vehicles and the Al-Masmak MRAP which has achieved very high protection, all are Saudi-made<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.armyrecognition.com/saudi_arabia_army_wheeled_armoured_vehicles_uk/al-masmak_masmak_mrap_mine_resistant_armored_personnel_carrier_technical_data_sheet_specifications.html |title=Al-Masmak Masmak Nyoka Mk2 MRAP Mine Resistant Armored Personnel Carrier technical data sheet |publisher=Army Recognition |access-date=25 December 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140621070648/http://www.armyrecognition.com/saudi_arabia_army_wheeled_armoured_vehicles_uk/al-masmak_masmak_mrap_mine_resistant_armored_personnel_carrier_technical_data_sheet_specifications.html |archive-date=21 June 2014 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.arabic-military.com/t44493-topic|title=Photos & Videos|publisher=arabic-military.com|access-date=25 December 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141028165138/http://www.arabic-military.com/t44493-topic|archive-date=28 October 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> Ashibl&nbsp;1 and Ashibl&nbsp;2 are Saudi-made armored vehicles used by the Royal Saudi Land Forces and the kingdom's most elite special operations units of Battalion 85. Saudi Arabia has also recently{{when|date=October 2020}} unveiled the new Tuwaiq MRAP.<ref>{{cite web|title=Saudi Arabia unveils development of MRAP Tuwaiq 2 vehicle – Aljundi Journal – A Military & Cultural Monthly Magazine|url=https://www.aljundi.ae/en/weapon-news/saudi-arabia-unveils-development-of-mrap-tuwaiq-2-vehicle/|access-date=2021-03-13|language=en-US}}</ref> Saudi Arabian Military Industries signed a Memorandum of Understanding with [[ROSOBORONEXPORT]] for the local production of the [[9M133 Kornet]]-EM anti-tank guided missile (ATGM) system, the [[TOS-1]]A advanced multiple rocket launcher and [[AGS-30]] automatic grenade launchers with grenades and Kalashnikov [[AK-103]].<ref>{{cite web |url = http://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/gulf/2017/10/05/Saudi-Arabian-Military-Industries-signs-agreement-to-manucafture-Russian-weapons-locally-.html |title = Saudi Arabia signs agreement to manufacture Russian weapons locally |date = 5 October 2017 |publisher=Al Arabiya |access-date=6 October 2017 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20171006113509/http://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/gulf/2017/10/05/Saudi-Arabian-Military-Industries-signs-agreement-to-manucafture-Russian-weapons-locally-.html |archive-date=6 October 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>

== Flags of the Armed Forces ==
<gallery>
File:Saudi Armed Forces Flag.svg|Flag of the Saudi Arabian Armed Forces {{FIAV|sinister}}
File:Flag of the Royal Saudi Land Forces.svg|Flag of the Royal Saudi Land Forces {{FIAV|sinister}}
File:Flag of the Royal Saudi Air Force (Seal).svg|Flag of the Royal Saudi Air Force {{FIAV|sinister}}
File:Naval base flag of the Royal Saudi Navy.svg|Naval base flag of the Royal Saudi Navy {{FIAV|sinister}}
File:Flag of the Royal Saudi Air Defense Forces.svg|Flag of the Royal Saudi Air Defense Forces {{FIAV|sinister}}
Flag of the Royal Saudi Strategic Missile Force.svg|Flag of the Royal Strategic Missile Force {{FIAV|sinister}}
</gallery>

== See also ==
{{Portal|Saudi Arabia}}
* [[Saudi Arabian Military Forces]]
* [[Saudi Arabian National Guard]]
* [[Saudi Royal Guard Regiment]]
* [[Nuclear program of Saudi Arabia]]
* [[King Khalid Military City]]

== References ==
=== Citations ===
{{reflist}}

=== Sources ===
{{refbegin}}
* China, Russia, Saudi Arabia Boosted Defense Most as U.S. Cut http://bloom.bg/1OqdP38
* [https://carnegieendowment.org/sada/2018/05/saudi-defense-and-security-reform?lang=en Carnegie Endowment for International Peace]
{{refend}}

== Further reading ==
* "Foreign Military Sales, Foreign Military Construction Sales and Military Assistance Facts as of September 2003," Published by Deputy for Operations and Administration, Business Operations/Comptroller, DSCA, Department of Defense
* "'Chief dismissed in reshuffle,' – Chief of General Staff Lt Gen Mohammed Saleh Al-Hammad replaced by Saleh Ibn Ali Al-Mohaya," ''Jane's Defence Weekly'', 9 October 1996, p.&nbsp;23
*C. A. Woodson, [https://web.archive.org/web/20120321021419/http://fmso.leavenworth.army.mil/documents/saudi/saudi.htm "Saudi Arabian Force Structure Development in a Post Gulf War World"], [[Foreign Military Studies Office]], June 1998, https://web.archive.org/web/20120306115652/http://fmso.leavenworth.army.mil/

==External links==
* {{official website|1=http://www.moda.gov.sa|2=Ministry of Defense website}}

{{Saudi Arabia Military}}
{{Military of Asia}}
{{Military of the Arab world}}
{{Saudi Arabia topics}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Saudi Arabian Armed Forces}}
[[Category:Armed Forces of Saudi Arabia| ]]
[[Category:Military of Saudi Arabia| ]]
[[Category:Military units and formations established in 1745]]
[[Category:18th-century establishments in the Arabian Peninsula]]
[[Category:1745 establishments in Asia]]