Saudi Arabian Army الجيش العربي السعودي | |
---|---|
RSA flag | |
Founded | 1917 |
Country | Saudi Arabia |
Allegiance | Saudi Arabia |
Branch | Army |
Type | Land Force |
Role | Land warfare |
Size | 150,000[1] |
Part of | Armed Forces of Saudi Arabia |
Nickname(s) | RSLF |
Motto(s) | 'God is the greatest' |
Commanders | |
Chief of Army Staff | General Eid bin Awad Al-Shalawi |
The Saudi Arabian Army (Arabic language: الجيش العربي السعودي), also called Royal Saudi Land Force (Arabic language: القوات البرية الملكية السعودية), is a branch of the Saudi Armed Forces. The total number of active troops is estimated to be 150,000[1] The Chief of the Saudi General Staff until 2011 was Field Marshal Saleh Al-Muhaya.
History[]
1923 is considered to be the birth year of the Saudi Army, as the modern Saudi Arabia have been Unified and founded as a single state. After the discovery of oil and the meeting between King Abdulaziz and the American President Franklin D. Roosevelt on February 14, 1945, the Americans became the new major ally of Saudi Arabia.
Other events that led to an expansion of the Saudi Army were the Arab-Israeli conflict in 1948, the fall of Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi in the Iranian Revolution in 1979 and the subsequent fears of possible Shia's actions and in the last years the first Gulf War in 1990. In the year 2000, Saudi Arabia's government spent billions of dollars to expand the Saudi Forces including the Saudi Army.[citation needed]
Wars involving Saudi Army:
- The Unification of Saudi Arabia (1902–1933).
- 1948 Arab-Israeli War more than 3,000 Saudi Troops participated in combat against Israel.[citation needed]
- 1967 RSLF deployed over 20,000 troops in Jordan.
- 1969 Al-Wadiah War. South Yemeni Forces invaded Al-Wadiah, a Saudi Town, but later were defeated by the Saudi Army.[citation needed]
- 1973 during the Yom Kippur War Saudi Arabia, along with other Gulf nations, protested American intervention by raising oil prices and sent over 3,000 Saudi soldiers from the troops stationed in Jordan to fight on the Syrian frontline.
- Gulf War (1990–1991) Together with the allied forces, Saudi Armed Forces and SANG took a major part in the Battle of Khafji and the Liberation of Kuwait.
- 2007-2010 Houthi Insurgency. Yemeni Houthis invaded southern Saudi Arabia, taking several mountains but were defeated later by the Saudi army.
Structure[]
The combat strength of the Saudi Army consists of 3 armoured brigades, 5 mechanized infantry brigades, three light motorized rifle brigades, and one airborne brigade. It also has five independent artillery battalions and an aviation command. The Saudi Army deployed the 12th Armoured Brigade and 6th Mechanized Brigade at King Faisal Military City in the Tabuk area. It deployed the 4th Armoured Brigade, and 11th Mechanized Brigade at King Abdul Aziz Military City in the Khamis Mushayt area. It deployed the 20th Mechanized Brigade and 8th Mechanized Brigade at King Khalid Military City near Hafr al Batin. The 10th Mechanized Brigade is deployed at Sharawrah, which is near the border with Yemen and about 150 kilometers from Zamak.[2]
Despite the addition of a number of units and increased mobility achieved during the 1970s and 1980s, the army's personnel complement has expanded only moderately since a major buildup was launched in the late 1960s. The army has been chronically understrength, 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 noncommissioned officers (NCOs). The continued existence of a separate national guard also limited the pool of potential army recruits.[2]
Armor
- 4th (King Fah’d) Armoured Brigade
- 8th Armoured Brigade
- 12th Armoured Brigade
A typical Saudi armoured brigade has an armoured reconnaissance company, three tank battalions with 42 tanks each, a mechanized infantry battalion with 54 AIFVs/APCs, and an artillery battalion with 18 self-propelled guns. It also has an army aviation company, an engineer company, a logistic battalion, a field workshop, and a medical company.[3]
Mechanized
- 6th Mechanized Brigade
- 8th Mechanized Brigade
- 10th Mechanized Brigade
- 11th Mechanized Brigade
- 20th Mechanized Brigade
The five mechanized brigades consists of one tank battalion, three mechanized infantry battalions, an artillery battalion, and a support battalion.
A typical Saudi mechanized brigade has an armoured reconnaissance company, one tank battalion with 42 tanks, three mechanized infantry battalions with 54 AIFVs/APCs each, and an artillery battalion with 18 self-propelled guns. It also has an army aviation company, an engineer company, a logistic battalion, a field workshop, and a medical company. It has 24 anti-tank guided weapons launchers and four mortar sections with a total of eight 81 mm (3 in) mortars.[3]
Infantry
- 17th Light motorized infantry brigade
- 18th Light motorized infantry brigade
- 19th Light motorized infantry brigade
Each infantry brigade consists of three motorized battalions, an artillery battalion, and a support battalion. Army brigades should not be confused with Saudi Arabian National Guard brigades. Light motorized infantry brigades include the 17th, 18th, and 19th.
Airborne
- The Airborne Brigade
- 4th Airborne Battalion
- 5th Airborne Battalion
The Airborne Brigade is normally deployed near Tabuk. The Airborne Brigade has two parachute battalions and three Special Forces companies. Saudi Arabia is expanding its Special Forces and improving their equipment and training to help deal with the threat of terrorism. The Special Forces have been turned into independent fighting units to help deal with terrorists, and report directly to Prince Sultan.
Artillery Battalions
- five artillery battalions
The separate Royal Guard Regiment consists of three light infantry battalions.
Ranks[]
Main equipment[]
Infantry weapons[]
Model | Image | Origin | Type | Caliber | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Handguns | |||||
Browning Hi-Power | Belgium | Handgun | 9×19mm Parabellum | ||
SIG Sauer P226 | Switzerland | Handgun | 9×19mm Parabellum | ||
Glock | Austria | Handgun | 9×19mm Parabellum | ||
Submachine guns | |||||
FN P90 | Belgium | Submachine gun | FN 5.7×28mm | ||
Heckler & Koch MP5 | Germany | Submachine gun | 9×19mm Parabellum | Manufactured by Military Industries Corporation. MP5A2, MP5A3 & MP5K variants.[4] | |
Rifles | |||||
Heckler & Koch HK33 | West Germany | Assault Rifle | 5.56×45mm NATO | HK33E variant.[5] | |
Heckler & Koch G36 | Germany Saudi Arabia |
Assault Rifle | 5.56×45mm NATO | Manufactured by Military Industries Corporation[6] | |
FN SCAR-H | File:Scar H Standard.jpg | Belgium United States |
Battle Rifle | 7.62×51mm NATO | Used by Airborne Units and Special Security Forces in the Royal Saudi Land Forces.[7][8] |
M4 carbine | United States | Carbine | 5.56×45mm NATO | Special forces only. | |
Heckler & Koch G3 | West Germany Saudi Arabia |
Battle Rifle | 7.62×51mm NATO | Standard Issue Rifle of Saudi Arabian Army. Manufactured by Military Industries Corporation[9] | |
M16A2 rifle | United States | Assault Rifle | 5.56×45mm NATO | ||
FN F2000 | Belgium | Bullpup assault rifle | 5.56×45mm NATO | The Saudi Arabian National Guard purchased 55,000 rifles in 2005.[10][11] | |
Steyr AUG AUG A1 HBAR |
File:Steyr-AUG.jpeg |
Austria | Assault Rifle | 5.56×45mm NATO | Standard assault rifle of the Saudi Arabian Army since 2009.[12][13] |
AK-103 | File:AK-103 Assault Rifle.JPG | Russia | Assault Rifle | 7.62×39mm | Used by Airborne Units and Special Security Forces in the Royal Saudi Land Forces.[14][15] A license to produce AK-103 rifles was granted to Saudi Arabia in 2017.[16][17][18] |
PM md. 63/65[19] | Romania | Assault Rifle | 7.62×39mm | Reserved. | |
Machine guns | |||||
Heckler & Koch MG4 | Germany | Light machine gun | 5.56×45mm NATO | Standard light machine gun of the Saudi Arabian army. | |
Rheinmetall MG3 | West Germany | General-purpose machine gun | 7.62×51mm NATO | Standard general-purpose machine gun of the Saudi Arabian army. | |
FN Minimi | Belgium | Squad automatic weapon | 5.56×45mm NATO | ||
FN MAG | Belgium | General-purpose machine gun | 7.62×51mm NATO | ||
Vektor SS-77 | South Africa | General-purpose machine gun | |||
M2 Browning | United States | Heavy machine gun | 12.7×99mm NATO | Standard heavy machine gun of the Saudi Arabian army | |
Sniper rifles | |||||
Accuracy International AWM | United Kingdom | Sniper Rifle | .300 Winchester Magnum | ||
Heckler & Koch PSG1 | Germany | Sniper rifle | 7.62×51mm NATO | ||
M107/M107A1 | United States | Anti-materiel rifle | 12.7×99mm NATO | ||
AWP (Arctic Warfare Police) | United Kingdom | Sniper Rifle | 7.62×51mm NATO | ||
Robar RC-50 | United States | Anti-material sniper rifle | 12.7 × 99 mm NATO | ||
Steyr SSG 69 | Austria | Sniper rifle | 7.62×51mm NATO |
Grenade, rocket, anti-tank, and missile systems[]
Model | Image | Origin | Type | Caliber | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Grenade launchers | |||||
M203 | United States | Grenade launcher | 40×46mm SR | ||
AGS-30 | Russia | Automatic grenade launcher | 40×46mm | Manufactured by Saudi Arabian Military Industries[20][21] | |
Portable anti-tank weapons | |||||
C90-CR (M3) | Spain | Rocket-propelled grenade | 90mm | ||
9M133 Kornet | Russia Saudi Arabia |
Anti-tank guided missile | Tandem HEAT | Manufactured by Saudi Arabian Military Industries[20][21][22] | |
FGM-148 Javelin | United States | Medium-range Anti-tank guided missile | 127mm | Standard infantry AT weapon. 20 launchers and 150 missiles[23] | |
MBT LAW | United Kingdom Sweden |
Short-range anti-tank missile system | 150mm | In service with Royal Saudi Land Forces. | |
RBS 56B BILL 2 | Sweden | SACLOS Anti-tank missile | 127mm | ||
Raybolt | South Korea | Anti-tank missile | |||
Mounted anti-tank weapons | |||||
HOT | France | Anti-tank Missile | Tandem charge HEAT | HOT and HOT-2 delivered in 1989 and 1997 for use on AMX-10. | |
AGM-114 Hellfire | United States | Anti-tank missile | High-explosive anti-tank (HEAT) | Used on AH-64D and AH-6s | |
BGM-71 TOW BGM-71C ITOW BGM-71D TOW-2 BGM-71E TOW-2A |
United States | Anti-tank missile | 150mm | Standard Issue to Saudi Arabian Army. |
Mortars[]
Model | Image | Origin | Type | Caliber | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
M224 mortar | United States | Lightweight mortar | 60mm | ||
Brandt Mle CM60A1 | France | Gun-mortar | 60mm | ||
2R2M 120MM | United States France |
Heavy mortar | 120mm | Used On M113 APC. | |
MO-120-RT-61 120mm | France | Heavy mortar | 120mm | ||
M30 mortar | United States | Heavy mortar | 106mm |
Vehicles[]
Tanks[]
Model | Image | Origin | Variant | Quantity | Details |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
M1 Abrams | United States | M1A2S | 422 | Saudi Arabia bought 373 M1A2 tanks,[24] with further 69 more M1A2S tanks ordered on 8 January 2013 and delivered by 31 July 2014.[25] Later Saudi Arabia decided to upgrade all of M1A2 variants to M1A2S configuration. 153 M1A2S on order since Aug 9, 2016[24] 20 were lost in Yemen[26] | |
M60 Patton | United States | M60A3 | 390[27] | 1,300 were acquired | |
AMX-30 | France | AMX-30SA | 250 | In reserve |
Infantry fighting vehicles and Armored personnel carriers[]
Model | Image | Origin | Variant | Quantity | Details |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
M2 Bradley | United States | M2A2 | 400[27] | Principal IFV of the Saudi Army.[28] | |
AMX-10P | France | 293[27] | 500[29] were bought from France in 1974; most are now stored as a reserve. | ||
M113 | United States | Many | 3,112 | [28] | |
Al-Masmak | Saudi Arabia | 5,331 | x[30][31][32] | ||
HMMWV | United States | Various configurations | 1500 | ||
Oshkosh M-ATV | United States | Many | 1859 | Saudi Arabia began negotiations for an order for an undisclosed number of M-ATVs Saudi Arabia received an estimated 1859 | |
URO VAMTAC | Spain | 30 | [33] | ||
Didgori Medevac | Georgia | Armored medical evacuation vehicle | 100+ | Saudi Arabia ordered 100+ Didgori Medevac from Georgia in 2016. | |
CUCV II[34] | United States | 200+ |
Artillery and missile systems[]
Field artillery[]
Model | Type | Quantity | Acquired | Origin | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
M224 Mortar | Mortar | N/A | N/A | United States | |
Brandt 60mm LR Gun-mortar | Mortar | N/A | N/A | France | |
MO-120-RT-61 120mm | Mortar | 200 | 200 | France | |
2R2M 120MM | Mortar | 28 | 28 | France | |
M30 107 mm Mortar | Mortar | N/A | United States | ||
PLZ-45 | Self-propelled artillery | 54[35] | China | ||
M109A2 | Self-propelled artillery | 280 | United States | ||
CEASAR 155mm | Self-propelled artillery | 100 | 100 | France | |
M-101A1 105mm | Towed gun | 100 | United States | ||
AMX-GCT | Self-propelled artillery | 90 | France | [28] | |
M198 howitzer | Howitzer | 120+ | United States | ||
FH-70 | Howitzer | 72+ | European Union | ||
M102 howitzer | Howitzer | 140[28] | United States | ||
Astros II MLRS | Rocket artillery | 72 | Brazil |
Strategic missile systems[]
Model | Type | Quantity | Acquired | Origin | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
DF-3 | Intermediate-range ballistic missile | 60 | 60 | China | Maximum range is 2800 km with a 2000 tonne conventional warhead. Possible one nuclear warhead with a yield of 3.3 MT. |
Army Aviation[]
Model | Type | Quantity | Origin | Comments | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Bell 406CS Combat Scout | Attack Helicopter | 13 | United States | ||
AH-64D Apache | Attack Helicopter | 12 | United States | A further 29 AH-64D Longbow III requested for more than $1200m. | |
Sikorsky S-70A1L Black Hawk | Medevac Helicopter | 8 | United States | ||
Sikorsky UH-60L Black Hawk | Transport Helicopter | 37 | United States | A further 24 UH-60L requested for $350m. | |
Aeryon Scout[36] | Miniature UAV | Unknown | Canada |
- (Anti-Air systems belong to Air Defense Force)
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Center for Strategic and International Studies The Middle East Military Balance (page 12), 2005
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Royal Saudi Land Forces
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Accéder Google Francais
- ↑ "MP5 Sub Machine Gun". mic.org.sa. Archived from the original on 2012-12-25. https://archive.is/20121225065231/http://en.mic.org.sa/our-products/light-weapon/mp5-submachine-gun-cal-9x19-mm. Retrieved 2017-04-25.
- ↑ Jones, Richard D. Jane's Infantry Weapons 2009/2010. Jane's Information Group; 35 edition (January 27, 2009). ISBN 978-0-7106-2869-5.
- ↑ "Rifle G36". mic.org.sa. http://mic.org.sa/Eng/our-products/Pages/GUN-G36.aspx. Retrieved 2017-04-25.
- ↑ "إسماعيل خوجة 🇸🇦 on Twitter". https://twitter.com/Ghost21_SNA/status/931898016533041152.
- ↑ "إسماعيل خوجة 🇸🇦 on Twitter". https://twitter.com/Ghost21_SNA/status/914898081094791168.
- ↑ "G3 Semi-Automatic Rifle". mic.org.sa. http://mic.org.sa/Eng/our-products/Pages/G3Rifle.aspx. Retrieved 2017-04-25.
- ↑ Kemp, Ian (2009). "A New 5.56mm Generation or a Changing of the Guard?". Asian Military Review. Archived from the original on 2011-07-07. https://web.archive.org/web/20110707175054/http://www.asianmilitaryreview.com/upload/200906161450071.pdf. Retrieved 2010-04-18.
- ↑ Daniel Watters. "The 5.56×45mm: 2006". Archived from the original on 2011-08-07. https://web.archive.org/web/20110807101157/http://www.thegunzone.com/556dw-15.html. Retrieved 2009-05-23.
- ↑ Kokalis, Peter (February 1985). "STEYR AUG; This Bullpup's No Dog". Soldier of Fortune magazine. http://www.remtek.com/arms/steyr/aug/edit/augsof.htm. Retrieved 2009-11-17.
- ↑ "Steyr Mannlicher US: Our History". Steyrarms.com. Archived from the original on 12 December 2009. https://web.archive.org/web/20091212135902/http://www.steyrarms.com/about/our-history. Retrieved 2009-11-17.
- ↑ "How an AK-103 Works". allinallnews. November 3, 2015. http://allinallnews.com/guns/ak-103.
- ↑ "Saudi special forces operator in Yemen and armed with Russian AK 103". mighty_earth. http://www.imgrum.net/media/1246060538704571269_2338571929.
- ↑ "Saudi Arabia to Start Licensed Manufacturing of AK-103 Rifles". http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2017/10/10/saudi-arabia-start-licensed-manufacturing-ak-103-rifles/. Retrieved 10 October 2017.
- ↑ "РФ и Саудовская Аравия подписали меморандум о покупке и локализации продукции ВПК". TASS. http://tass.ru/armiya-i-opk/4620884. Retrieved 10 October 2017.
- ↑ "Saudi Arabia to produce Russian Kalashnikovs under new deal". rt.com. https://www.rt.com/business/405820-kalshnikov-russia-saudi-salman/. Retrieved 5 October 2017.
- ↑ https://sites.google.com/site/worldinventory/wiw_me_saudiarabia.0
- ↑ 20.0 20.1 Russia, Today. "Russia confirms sale of S-400 missile systems to Saudi Arabia". https://www.rt.com/business/406116-russia-saudi-arabia-s400-delivery/. Retrieved 21 February 2018.
- ↑ 21.0 21.1 360, Jane's. "Saudi Arabia and Russia sign S-400 MOU". http://www.janes.com/article/74677/saudi-arabia-and-russia-sign-s-400-mou. Retrieved 21 February 2018.
- ↑ "Russia confirms sale of S-400 missile systems to Saudi Arabia". https://www.rt.com/business/406116-russia-saudi-arabia-s400-delivery/.
- ↑ "Kingdom of Saudi Arabia – JAVELIN Missiles | The Official Home of the Defense Security Cooperation Agency". 2010-11-18. http://www.dsca.mil/major-arms-sales/kingdom-saudi-arabia-javelin-missiles. Retrieved 2017-05-30.
- ↑ 24.0 24.1 "The 2006 Saudi Shopping Spree: $2.9B to Upgrade M1 Abrams Tank Fleet". DefenseIndustryDaily.com. 4 January 2011. Archived from the original on October 25, 2006. https://web.archive.org/web/20061025014002/http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/2006/08/the-2006-saudi-shopping-spree-29b-to-upgrade-m1-abrams-tank-fleet/index.php. Retrieved 28 July 2011.
- ↑ "Saudi Arabia Orders 69 More M1A2S Abrams Heavy Tanks". Deagel.com, 8 January 2013.
- ↑ https://www.defenseone.com/business/2016/08/us-tank-deal-exposes-saudi-losses-yemen-war/130623/
- ↑ 27.0 27.1 27.2 "Royal Saudi Land Forces Equipment". Global Security. http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/gulf/rslf-equipment.htm. Retrieved 2015-04-09.
- ↑ 28.0 28.1 28.2 28.3 Military Balance 2005- page 135
- ↑ Cite error: Invalid
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- ↑ "Al-Masmak Masmak Nyoka Mk2 MRAP Mine Resistant Armored Personnel Carrier technical data sheet - Army Recognition - Army Recognition". 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. Retrieved 25 December 2014.
- ↑ "Saudi Al-Masmak Achieves the Highest Protection Level Recorded for MRAP". http://ewallstreeter.com/saudi-al-masmak-achieves-the-highest-protection-level-recorded-for-mrap-6461/. Retrieved 25 December 2014.
- ↑ https://www.armyrecognition.com/saudi_arabia_army_wheeled_armoured_vehicles_uk/al-masmak_masmak_nyoka_mk2_mrap_apc_mine_resistant_armored_personnel_carrier_technical_data_sheet.html
- ↑ Administrator. "30 VAMTAC's to Saudi Arabia". http://www.defaiya.com/defaiyaonline/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=833%3A30-vamtacs-to-saudi-arabia&catid=47%3Aksa&Itemid=27&lang=en. Retrieved 25 December 2014.
- ↑ "Commercial Utility Cargo Vehicle: CUCV II". Olive-drab.com. http://www.olive-drab.com/idphoto/id_photos_cucv2.php. Retrieved 2013-03-15.
- ↑ Chinese Guns Conquer Arabia
- ↑ "picture of Saudi Army with Aeryon Scout". https://twitter.com/SaudiArmyNews/status/335404356637716480.
13. [1] http://www.defense-arabic.com/threads/%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D8%AF%D8%B1%D8%B9%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B3%D8%B9%D9%88%D8%AF%D9%8A%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D8%B5%D9%85%D9%83.196/
External links[]
- RSLF official website
- CIA World Factbook
- Pakistani tanks deal
- 2006 Military spending of Saudi Forces
- latest French tanks deal
See also[]
The original article can be found at Saudi Arabian Army and the edit history here.