Military of Saudi Arabia

The Saudi Ministry of Defence and Aviation is responsible for the direction of the military of Saudi Arabia. The Ministry also has responsibility for the construction of civilian airports as well as military bases, and for Meteorology departments.

Crown Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz has held the portfolio of Saudi Arabia's Minister of Defence Aviation since 1962. The Vice Minister, Abdulrahman bin Abdulaziz, is his full brother. His oldest son, Khalid bin Sultan, was appointed Assistant Minister of Defence for Military Affairs in 2001.

Military situation

With the collapse of the Iraqi Ba'athist regime in mid-2003, the greatest conventional threat to the Saudi Kingdom was eliminated. The military situation became both less threatening and more complex.

The most important threats now are from tribesmen in Yemen who cross the frontier at will (as they have for centuries) and whose presence threatens Saudi territorial integrity.

The Islamic Republic of Iran is another potential threat. Its behavior since the fall of the Shah has generally been introverted, but also unpredictable and therefore worrying, however recent meetings between King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia and President Ahmadinejad of Iran seem to be showing improved relations between the two nations. Iranian air or sea action could threaten the free flow of oil, critical both to the industrial world and to the oil-producing countries. Shias of Iran could extend its reach (perhaps through Bahrain) to subvert the Shiite minority in Saudi Arabia.

Internal subversion is now the major threat. This is heightened by a growing population of young men who are facing daunting challenges to simply find work. Although Saudi Arabia is exceptionally religious and defers to religious authorities on many issues, the legitimacy of the Kingdom is threatened from both liberal and conservative groups.

The rise of internal threats coincided with the beginning of the Iraq war. Car bombs and other attacks have been organized by cells based within the Kingdom. The police and intelligence communities have stepped up their activities to deal with unrest.

Despite its at times anti-Western rhetoric, Saudi Arabia has been very dependent on Western military assistance for its security needs. When President Saddam Hussein of Iraq invaded Saudi Arabia's northern neighbor Kuwait in 1990 during the Persian Gulf War, Saudi Arabia immediately requested the deployment of US troops within the country to deter further aggression. Additionally, the country's oil exports through the shipping lanes of the Persian Gulf are protected by the US Fifth Fleet, based in Bahrain. In 2005, Saudi Arabia was the foremost purchaser of US armaments in the world, with over $1.1 billion in purchases. [ [http://www.worldpolicy.org/projects/arms/reports/WatWTable1.html - Saudi arms reports] at WorldPolicy.org]

However, it seems that Saudi Arabia will start purchasing military equipment from other suppliers, including Russia. In October 2007, a memorandum of understanding was signed between these two countries which may result in a purchase of up to 150 new Mi-17 and Mi-35 helicopters in a deal worth 2.2 billion USD. Even T-90 tanks and anti-aircraft systems are rumoured.

The military is a major employer, and so it provides some relief to the nation's huge unemployment problem by bringing many young men into the defence of the country.

Military branches

Military branches of Ministry of Defence::::* Saudi Arabian Army:::* Royal Saudi Naval Forces (including a Naval Air Wing and Marines):::* Royal Saudi Air Force:::* Royal Saudi Air Defense::::* Strategic Missiles Force

Independent military branches:::* Saudi Arabian National Guard:::* Saudi Royal Guard Regiment:::* General Intelligence Directorate ("Al Mukhabarat Al A'amah"):::* Military Police Force:::* Lightning Force ("Qowwat Al-Sa'eqah" - Commandos)

Military branches of Ministry of Interior:::*General Security Forces::::* Saudi Arabian Police Force::::* Saudi Arabian Traffic Police Force::::* Saudi Special Emergency Force (Counter-Terrorists / Anti-Riot)::::* Mission-Security Force ("Amn Al-Mahammaat")::::* Secret Service ("Al Mabaahith Al Jena'eyah")::::* Immigration Dept.:::* Saudi Arabian Border Guard::::* Saudi Border Guard::::* Saudi Coast Guard::::* Al-Mujahidoon (support force for Border Guards):::* Civil Defense of Saudi Arabia

Military industry

:::*Armored Vehicles::::#Der' Al-Jazeerah-1 AFV::::#Der' Al-Jazeerah-2 AFV::::#Al-Faris 8-400::::#Al-Fahd Infantry fighting vehicle::::#Al-Kasir IFV for Counter-Terrorism::::#Al-Mansoor APC::::#Al-Faisal AFV::::#Al-Shibl 1::::#Al-Shibl 2 [ [http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/gulf/weapons.htm Weapons made in Saudi Arabia] at GlobalSecurity.org]

Military ranks

ee also

*King Khalid Military City
*United States Military Training Mission

Notes

References

*"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

External links

* [http://www.moda.gov.sa/ Ministry of Defense and Aviation] , official website
* [http://www.bariah.gov.sa/ Royal Saudi Land Forces] , official website
* [http://www.sang.gov.sa/ Saudi Arabian National Guard] , official website
* [http://www.smf.gov.sa/ Strategic Missiles Force] , official website
* [http://www.gip.gov.sa/ General Intelligence Presidency] , official website