Saudi Arabia
15. SAUDI ARABIA
Contents Major Changes .................................................................................................... 1 General Data ....................................................................................................... 1 Arms Trade ......................................................................................................... 2 Strategic Assets................................................................................................... 4 Armed Forces ..................................................................................................... 6 Ground Forces .................................................................................................... 7 Air Force ........................................................................................................... 10 Air Defense Forces ........................................................................................... 14 Navy ................................................................................................................. 15
Major Changes
It was revealed that Saudi Arabia received and deployed Chinese made DF-21 (CSS5) IRBMs. The missiles have probably arrived in 2007. They might have replaced the old DF-3A missiles, which were procured in 1988. The RSAF received 24 of its 72 Typhoon combat aircraft, ordered from the UK. Production of the remaining aircraft will NOT be conducted in Saudi Arabia, but in the UK. The RSAF ordered 84 new F-15SA combat aircraft from the USA. The deal also includes upgrading the existing 68 F-15S to the F-15SA standard. The RSAF has ordered additional 12 AH-64D Apache combat helicopters and will upgrade the 12 existing older Apache AH-64A to the same standard. Other programs for the RSAF include an order for 6 A330 MRTT refueling aircraft, of which the first has already been supplied. The RSAF ordered new training aircraft PC-21 and Hawk AJT. These will be supplied in 2014 and 2016 respectively. The Saudi Arabian National Guard continues its upgrade program which includes the procurement of 724 new Piranha LAV IFVs from Canada, and 100 155mm CAESAR howitzers from France.
General Data
Official Name of the State: The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Head of State: King Abdullah ibn Abd al-Aziz al-Saud Defense and Aviation Minister: Crown Prince Salman ibn Abd al-Aziz al-Saud Chief of General Staff: Lt. General Hussein bin Abdullah al-Qabil Commander of the Ground Forces: Major General Khaled bin Bandar
Updated on: 11 February 2014
Saudi Arabia
Minister of the National Guard: Prince Miteb ibn Abdullah ibn Abd al-Aziz alSaud Commander of the Air Force: Lt. General Fayyadh bin Hamid bin Ragad AlRuwaili Commander of the Navy: Lt. General Dakhil Allah bin Ahmed bin Muhammad alWaqdani Area: 2,331,000 sq. km. Population: 25,500,000
Foreign Military Cooperation
Type Foreign forces Details GCC Peninsula Shield rapid deployment force (currently only skeleton presence of other countries' forces is present:; some 8,000 Instructors and technicians from Pakistan; UK; US (290 troops) Bahrain (5,000 troops) Bahrain (2011), France (2011), India (2012), Pakistan (2012), South Korea (2011), Turkey (2011), UK (2009), US (2012), Yemen (2005) France (2006), India (2007), PRC (2006), Russia (2008), Spain (2008), Turkey (2010)
Forces deployed abroad Joint maneuvers Security cooperation
Arms Trade
Arms Procurement and Security Assistance Received
Country Australia Canada Finland France Type Military training Arms transfers Arms transfers Arms transfers Details Pilot training in Australia (2008) Piranha LAV APCs (2011) 120mm NEMO mortars (2011) AD C4I system (2008), 155mm Caesar guns (2010), A330 MRTT tanker aircraft (2011), Damocles targeting pods (2009), AS550 Fennec helicopters (2008), MISKA C4I system (2010), Storm Shadow ALCM (2010), Brimstone AGM (2010), AASM AGM (2012) IRIS-T AAMs (2009), BOR-A 550, Squire radars (2009); Leopard 2A7 MBTs (2011) Trainees in India (2008) Falco UAV (2012) 155mm PLZ-45 guns (2011) Foreign advisers/instructors/serving personnel for CSS-2 missiles (unconfirmed)
Germany India Italy PRC
Arms transfers Military training Arms transfers Arms transfers Military training
Updated on: 11 February 2014
Saudi Arabia
Country Spain Switzerland Sweden Type Military training Arms transfers Arms transfers Cooperation in arms production Arms transfers Arms transfers Details Training of Saudi pilots in Spain (2010) Skyguard AD systems (2009), PC-21 trainer aircraft (2012) Saab 2000 AEW aircraft (2010) Simum/BILL-2 ATGMs (2012) Upgrading of M113 APCs (2010) Typhoon aircraft (2012), Upgrading of Tornado IDS aircraft (2011), Tactica APCs (2011), EW C4ISR system (2011), upgrading of minehunters (2009), Paveway-4 guided bombs (2011), Storm Shadow ALCM (2011), Hawk AJT aircraft (2012) Technical assistance and maintenance (2009) AIM-9X AAMs (2012), upgrading of M1A2 MBTs (2012), upgrading of E-3 AWACS aircraft (2012), JDAM (2008), AAQ-33 Sniper targeting pods (2011), King Air 350 aircraft (2011), S-92 helicopter (2009), S76D helicopter (2010), S-434 helicopter (2009), upgrading of FPS-117 AD radars (2008), AH-64D Apache Longbow helicopters (2010), ATC radar network (2009), TOW-2A RF ATGMs (2010), Javelin ATGMs (2010), UH 60 helicopters (2011), AH-6i helicopters (2012), MD-530F helicopters (2012), F-15SA aircraft (2012), upgrading Patriot to PAC-3 standard (2011), CBU-105 SFW (2011), 155mm M777 guns (2011), 105mm M119 guns (2011), TPQ36V radars (2011); M1151B1 HMMWVs (2011); Sniper targeting pods (2012), DB110 reconnaissance pods (2012), AGM-84K SALM-ER (2012), Upgrading of 8 UH-60 helicopters (2013) Technical assistance and maintenance (2009) Foreign advisers (500), trainees in the USA (2011)
Turkey UK
US
Maintenance aid Arms transfers
Maintenance aid Military training
Arms Sales and Security Assistance Extended
Country US Type Facilities Details HQ at Riyadh, facilities for combat aircraft at Taif and Dhahran air bases
Updated on: 11 February 2014
Saudi Arabia
Defense Production
M P A
Army equipment
al-Fahd 8x8 APC al-Shibl LAVs , Zephyr SRV Small arms ammunition Upgrading of AML and BMR-600 APCs Upgrading of M113 to ACVs Simum/Bill-2 ATGMs
Air Force equipment
Some accessories and components for foreign-made aircraft, flares and chaff Paveway-2 laser-guided bombs Typhoon Tranche-2 aircraft Upgrading of Tornado IDS to TSP standard Damocles targeting pod Eraf fast interception crafts Tug boats
Naval equipment Electronics
Ground surveillance radars Hand-held thermal imager/binocular Radio transceivers Components for EW equipment Components of aircraft radars Note: M - manufacture (indigenously developed) P - production under license A - assembly
Strategic Assets
NBC Capabilities Nuclear capability
No known nuclear activity. Nuclear cooperation accords with China, France, Russia, South Korea, and USA. Party to the NPT.
Chemical weapons and protective equipment
No known CW activities. Personal protective equipment, decontamination units, US-made CAM chemical detection systems; Fuchs (Fox) NBC detection vehicles. Party to the CWC.
Biological weapons
No known BW activities. Party to the BWC.
Updated on: 11 February 2014
Saudi Arabia
Ballistic Missiles
Model DF-3A (CSS-2 ) Launchers 8-12 Missiles 30-50 Since 1988 Notes Number of launchers unconfirmed. Probably obsolete
DF-21 (CSS-5)
2007
Space Assets
Model Type Communication Notes Civilian communication satellite network. Currently deployed are ArabSat-2B/5A and Bader-4/5/6 Commercial micro satellites; Seven satellites, out of 24; 12 kg each. 2 (10 kg. each) were launched in September 2000 by a Russian military rocket, and are orbiting 650 km above earth. The third satellite was launched in December 2002. Saudi Sat 2 (30kg) was launched in June 2004. Saudi Sat 3 was launched in April 2007. Receiving SPOT, Landsat and NOAA Fifth generation satellite planned for launch in 2012.
Satellites
ArabSat Saudi ComSat Saudi Sat 1/2/3
Research Remote sensing and space research
Ground Stations
SCRS Imagery Communication
Future procurement
Arabsat-6
Command and Control Assets
Name Description Integrated Early Warning national command and control system, integrating several radar systems and linking between national and regional command centers. Command and control system which assigns threats and targets to AD assets. Command and control System for Electronic Warfare and AD batteries. Comprised of regional command centers which are linked to AD assets.
Air defense
Peace Shield
SAMOC al-Madhallah (Umbrella)
Updated on: 11 February 2014
Saudi Arabia
Border Surveillance
MIKSA National border surveillance system, comprising of regional command centers linked to radars and sensors deployed along the borders.
Armed Forces
Order-of-Battle
Year Personnel (regular) SSM launchers Number of brigades Tanks 2008 214,500 8-12 20 750 (1,015) 4,180 (5,180) 410 (780) 2009 214,500 8-12 20 765 (1,015) 4,330 (5,150) 410 (780) 2010 214,500 8-12 23* 765 (1,015) 4,330 (5,150) 410 (780) 2011 214,500 8-12 23 980 (1,120) 4,645 (5,460) 530 (900) 2012 214,500 8-12 23 980 (1,120) 4,645 (5,460) 530 (900)
General data
Ground Forces
APCs/AFVs Artillery (incl. MRLs) Combat aircraft Transport aircraft Helicopters
Air Force
250 (320) 57 (59) 226
255 (325) 57 234
261 (330) 57 234
270 (340) 62 255
270 (340) 62 255
Heavy SAM batteries Medium SAM batteries
Air Defense Forces
25 21
25 21
25 21
21 21
21 21
27 Combat vessels 70 Patrol craft * Due to change in estimate.
Navy
27 68
27 68
27 68
27 68
Personnel
Ground Forces Air Force Air Defense Navy Regular 75,000 20,000 4,000 13,500 Reserves Total 75,000 20,000 4,000 13,500
Updated on: 11 February 2014
Saudi Arabia
Regular 100,000 2,000 214,500 50,000 Reserves Total 100,000 2,000 214,500 50,000
National Guard Royal Guard Total
Paramilitary
Rapid Deployment Force Facility Protection Coast Guard Frontier Corps
10,000 4,500 10,500
10,000 4,500 10,500
Ground Forces
Formations
Independent brigades / groups 4 10 Independent battalions
Armored (Ground Forces) Mechanized (5 Ground Forces, 5 National Guard) Infantry (Royal 1 Guard) Infantry 6 19 (National Guard) Marines 2 Airborne/ Special 2 Forces (Ground Forces/ National Guard) Total 23 21 Note: Saudi ground forces comprise 10 brigades (5 mechanized, 4 armored, 1 airborne/infantry), plus one Royal Guard brigade; the National Guard has 12 brigades (5 mechanized, 6 infantry, 1 Special Forces)
Tanks
Model Quantity In service Since Notes
MBTs High quality
M1A2 Abrams 370 370 1993 Being upgraded
M60 A3 AMX-30
Medium and low quality
460 290 460 150 1985 1975
Updated on: 11 February 2014
Saudi Arabia
Model Subtotal Total Leopard 2A7 Quantity 750 1,120 44 315 In service 610 980 Since Notes
Future procurement
Total order of 270 MBTs Upgrading of existing M1A2
M1A2S Abrams
APCs/AFVs
Model Quantity 420 In service 420 Since 2000 Notes Of which 34 are ENGs and 67 ARVs Being upgraded to ACV standard With National Guard Upgraded M113 Of which 90 are carrying ATGMs With marines
APCs
Piranha APC M113 A1/A2 Tactica ACV AMX-10/ AMX-10P BMR-600 M-3 (Panhard) Subtotal Piranha IFV M2/M3 Bradley V-150 Commando AML-60/90 Subtotal Piranha LAV-AG Total ACV
1,000 220 600 500 140 150 3,030 570
1,000 220 600 500 140 150 3,030 570
1976/1981 2009 2004 1975 1985
IFVs
1992
Of which 73 are 120mm TDA and 111 are ITVs 690 in storage
400 980 350 2,300 130 5,460 324 155
400 290 ~225 1,485 130 4,645
1977 1969
Reconnaissance
Future procurement
Upgrading of existing M113 Deliveries in progress. Total request for 724 vehicles
Piranha LAV
Updated on: 11 February 2014
Saudi Arabia
Artillery
Model Quantity In service Since Notes
Self-propelled guns and howitzers
155mm Caesar 155mm PLZ-45 155mm M109 A2 155mm GCT Subtotal 08 50 280 51 460 08 50 110 51 290 2010 2007 1990 1980
Towed guns and howitzers
155mm M-198 155mm M-114 155mm FH-70 105mm M102/ M101 Subtotal 90 50 72 100 312 60 50 0 0 110 1982 1980 1975
120mm TDA SP 107mm M-30 Astros II Total
Mortars, under 160mm MRLs
73 + 60 ~900 36
73 + 60 ~530
2000 1981
On Piranha
180mm SS-40 or 127mm SS-30
Future procurement
120mm NEMO Mounted on Piranha LAV
Ground Radars
Model Quantity In service Since Notes
PPS-5 MSTAR AN/TPQ-37 BOR-A Squire
Artillery/mortarlocating radars
+ + + + 2000 1990 MIKSA MIKSA
Future procurement
Logistics and Engineering Equipment
M-123 Viper minefield crossing system, Aardvark Mk 3 flail, M-69 A1 bridging tanks, bridging equipment, AFV transporters (600), Piranha ARVs (67), Piranha ENG (34)
Future procurement
Piranha ARVs (44), Piranha ENG (24)
Updated on: 11 February 2014
Saudi Arabia
Anti-Tank Missiles
Model Piranha ITV AMX-10P SP VCC-1 SP BGM-71C/D TOW II RBS-56 Bill-2 M-47 Dragon Total RBS-56 Bill-2 Launchers 111 90 Missiles + + Since 2001 1982 Notes Listed also under APCs Listed also under APCs; carrying HOT Carrying TOW
200 750 + 1,000 2,150
+ + + + + +
1988 2009 1977
Future procurement
20 72 150 2,500 To be produced in Saudi Arabia Under negotiations Under negotiations
Javelin Piranha ITV BGM-71E TOW RF
Air Force
Order-of-Battle
Category Combat Transport Helicopters Quantity 340 62 255 In service 270 62 255 Notes
Combat Aircraft
Model Quantity 75 21 96 24 68 92 80 In service 75 21 96 24 68 92 80 Since 1982 1989 Notes
Interceptors
F-15 C/D Eagle Tornado ADV Subtotal Typhoon F-15S Subtotal Tornado TSP
Advanced multi-role
2009 1995 Delivery in progress To be upgraded
Multi-role
2006
12 of which are reconnaissance;
Updated on: 11 February 2014
10
Saudi Arabia
Model Quantity In service Since Notes upgraded IDS aircraft Some also listed under reconnaissance
F-5E/F
Obsolete
70 0 1973
Total F-15 SA F-15 S/SA Typhoon
340 84 68
270
Future procurement
Upgrading of existing aircraft to SA standard Being delivered
48
Transport Aircraft
Model C-130E/H Hercules Quantity 52 In service 52 Since 1970/1980 Notes Some of which are in tanker, VIP role Used in MEDEVAC role
CN-235 King Air 350
5 5
5 5
1987 2011
Total
62
62
Training and Liaison Aircraft
Model Quantity 45 50 2 12 20 81 126 55 22 In service 29 47 2 12 20 81 110 Since 1987 1987 1987 1967 2004 Notes
Jet trainers
Hawk Mk 65
Piston/Turboprop
Pilatus PC-9 BAe Jetstream 31 Cessna 172 G/H/L Super Mushshak Subtotal Total
PC-21 Hawk AJT
Future procurement
Delivery in 2014 Delivery in 2016
Updated on: 11 February 2014
11
Saudi Arabia
Helicopters
Model Quantity 15 11 26 33 In service 15 11 26 33 Since 1990 1993 Notes
Attack
Bell 406CS AH-64A Apache Subtotal UH 60L Black Hawk UH 60A Black Hawk AS-532 UC AS-365 Dauphin S-92 KV-107/KV-107 IIA AB-412 AB-212 Bell 205 Subtotal
Medium transport
2010
12
12
1990
Including 8 in Medevac role, and 3 UH 60i. Being upgraded to UH 60L standard In SAR/ Medevac role In service with MoI
12 5 16 18 16 29 24 165 9 28 37 15 12 27 255 36 12
12 5 16 18 16 29 24 165 9 28 37 15 12 27 255
1990 1986 2009 1979 2001 1977
S-434
Light transport
2009 1967 In service with MoI
AB-206 JetRanger Subtotal AS-565MA AS-532 SC Cougar Subtotal Total AH-6i
Naval combat
1986 1992
Future procurement
Under negotiations With MoI. Delivery in 2013. With MoI, first delivery in 2013
MD 530F S-76D AH-64D Apache Block 2 AH-64D
12
12 12 Upgrading of existing
Updated on: 11 February 2014
12
Saudi Arabia
Model UH 60L Blackhawk UH 60 Black Hawk Quantity 12 In service Since Notes helicopters Upgrading of existing helicopters
Miscellaneous Aircraft
Model Quantity 12 In service 12 Since 1986 Notes Also listed under Combat Aircraft Also listed under combat aircraft Being upgraded Being upgraded
Reconnaissance
Tornado IDS RF-5E
1973
E-3A AWACS
AEW/AWACS
5 2 4 1 8 5 2 4 1 8 1986 2004 2011 2011 1973
RE-3A King Air 350ER
ELINT/ SIGINT Tankers
Airbus A330 MRTT KC-130H KE-3/Boeing 707 TTL BTT-3 Banshee MQM-74C Chukar II Falco UAV
6 + +
6 + +
1986
Being delivered Also listed under transport aircraft Being upgraded
Target drones
Future procurement
Under negotiations 1 6 Delivery in progress
Saab 2000 AEW Airbus A330 MRTT
Advanced Armament Air-to-air-missiles
AIM-7F Sparrow (1,100); AIM-7M (1,000); AIM-9J/P Sidewinder (1,800); AIM-9L/M/X Sidewinder (1,800) ; Red Top; Sky Flash (550), AIM-120 AMRAAM (500)
Air-to-ground-missiles
AGM-65A/D/G Maverick (1,805); ALARM (200); AM-39 Exocet; AS-15TT (220);
Updated on: 11 February 2014
13
Saudi Arabia
Sea Eagle (350)
Bombs
CBU-86/87; BL-755 CBU; Paveway-2 (100); GBU-10/12/15
Targeting pods
ATLIS targeting pods (30), AAQ-33 Sniper targeting pods (35), Damocles targeting pods (30)
Future procurement
AIM-120C (50), JDAM (900), Marte AAMs, IRIS-T AAMs , Storm Shadow ALCM , Brimstone AGM , Paveway-4 , CBU-105 SFW (404), AAQ-33 Sniper targeting pods (95), DB-110 reconnaissance pods (10), AIM-9X sidewinder (120), AGM-84K SALMER (20) Note: Numbers in parentheses refer to quantity of units purchased, not to current inventory levels.
Air Force Infrastructure Aircraft shelters
For combat aircraft
Military airfields :
15 Abqaiq, al-Ahsa, Dhahran, Gizan, al-Hufuf, Jidda, Jubail, Khamis Mushayt, al-Kharj, Medina, Riyadh, Sharawra, al-Sulayyil, Tabuk, Taif.
Air Defense Forces
Surface-to-Air Missiles
Model Batteries 11 10 Launchers Since 1991 1982 Notes
Heavy missiles
MIM-104 Patriot MIM-23B Improved HAWK Total Crotale One used for training Being upgraded
21 16 Some are sheltermounted for fixed sites To be upgraded
Medium missiles
Shahine I/II Total FIM-92A/C Stinger MIM-43A Redeye Mistral Total
5 21
1981
Shoulder-launched missiles
400 500 900 1,800 1984
Updated on: 11 February 2014
14
Saudi Arabia
Model MIM-104 Patriot PAC-3 Batteries 8 Launchers Since Notes Upgrading of existing batteries
Future procurement
Other Air Defense Systems
Model Quantity In service Since Notes
35mm Skyguard AD system
Air defense systems (missiles, radars and guns)
60 60
35mm OerlikonBuhrle 35x2 GDF 20mm M-163 Vulcan SP 30mm AMX-30 SA Total AN/FPS-117 (Seek Igloo) AN/TPS-43G AN/TPS-59 AN/TPS-63 Giraffe Agile AN/TPS-70
Short-range guns
156 ~100 52 ~310 17 28 + 35 1 +
156 ~100 18 ~275 17 28 + 35 1 +
Included in Skyguard
Radars
To be upgraded
LASS
Aerostat with airborne Radars
+ + Part of Peace Shield
Navy
Combat Vessels
Type Quantity Length (m.)/ displacement (t.) 135/4,500 Notes/armament
Missile frigates
al-Riyadh class (F3000S) 3 1xAS-565 helicopter 8xMM40 SSM 2x8 Aster 15/30 SAMs 1x76mm gun
Updated on: 11 February 2014
15
Saudi Arabia
Type Quantity Length (m.)/ displacement (t.) Notes/armament 2x20mm guns 4x533mm torpedoes 1xAS-365 helicopter 8xOtomat SSMs 1x8 Crotale Naval SAMs 1x100mm gun 4x40mm guns 4x533mm torpedoes
Madina class (F-2000)
115.0/2,000
Subtotal Badr class (PCG-1 class)
7 4 74.7/870 8xHarpoon SSMs 1x76mm gun 2x20mm AD guns 1x20mm Phalanx 6x324mm torpedoes 4xHarpoon SSMs 1x76mm gun 2x20mm AD guns 1x20mm Phalanx 1x20mm AD gun Sonar, magnetic sweepers 2x30mm guns 2 PAP 104 Mk 5 Type 2093 sonar Being upgraded
Missile corvettes
al-Siddiq (PGG-1 class)
MFPBs
58.1/495
Addriyah (MSC-322 class minesweeper) al-Jawf (Sandown class)
Mine warfare vessels
4 3 46.6/320 52.7/450
Subtotal Total
7 27
Patrol Craft
Type al-Jubatel (AbekingRasmussen) al-Jouf (Blohm & Voss) Halter type Stan Patrol 2606 Sea Guard Simonneu 51 Inshore Patrol Craft Quantity 2 Length (m.)/ displacement (t.) 26.2/96 Notes/armament 1x20mm gun 2x12.7mm MGs 2x20mm guns 2x12.7mm MGs 2x25mm guns 2x20mm guns 1x12.7mm MG With Coast Guard
4 17 4 2 39 150
38.6/210 23.8/56 26.5/55 22.5/56 15.8/22 8-15m
Updated on: 11 February 2014
16
Saudi Arabia
Type Total Quantity 68 Length (m.)/ displacement (t.) Notes/armament
Landing Craft
Type Slingsby SAH 2200 hovercraft 1610 class LCU LCM 6 Griffon 8000TD(M) Total Quantity 3 4 4 5 12 Length (m.)/ displacement (t.) 10.6 41.1/375 17.1/62 21.1/18.2 Notes/armament 2.2 tons or 16 troops 170 tons or 120 troops 2x12.7mm MGs 34 tons or 80 troops 2x40mm guns 16 troops 1x12.7mm MG
Auxiliary Vessels
Type Tabouk training ship Abdul Aziz (Royal yacht) Pegasus (Royal yacht) Mod Durance class (Supply ships) Coastal tugs Small tankers Quantity 1 1 1 2 13 3 Length (m.) / displacement (t.) 60/585 147/5,200 27.4/115 135.0/11,200 43m, 35m 28.7/233 Notes / armament 1x20mm gun 1x Bell 206 helicopter pad 2x20mm AD Vulcan 4x40mm guns 2 helicopter pads
Coastal Defense
Type Otomat Quantity 4 Notes
Naval Infrastructure Naval bases (including coast guard):
13
Aziziya (Coast Guard), al-Dammam, al-Haql (Coast Guard), Jidda, Jizan, Jubayl, Makna (Coast Guard), al-Qatif, Ras al-Mishaab, Ras Tanura, al-Sharma, al-Wajh, Yanbu
Updated on: 11 February 2014
17
Saudi Arabia
Ship maintenance and repair facilities
Repair of vessels dependent on foreign experts; 22,000-ton and 62,000-ton floating docks at Dammam; 45,000-ton and 16,000-ton floating docks at Jidda
Updated on: 11 February 2014
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