Saudi Arabian Army

Saudi Arabian Army
Unit name	Saudi Arabian Army
Native name	الجيش السعودي
Caption	Flag of the Saudi Arabian Army
Founded	1744 (as the military forces of the Emirate of Diriyah)
Current form	13 January 1902 (as the modern army)
Country	Saudi Arabia
Branch	Royal Saudi Land Forces
Type	Army
Role	Land warfare
Size	75,000 active personnel
Command structure	Ministry of Defense
Garrison	Riyadh
Garrison label	Headquarters
Equipment	See Equipment
Battles	* Saudi–Rashidi War * Saudi–Yemeni War (1934) * Arab–Israeli War * Gulf War * Saudi Arabian-led intervention in Yemen
Commander1	King Salman
Commander1 label	Commander-in-Chief
Commander2	Mohammed bin Salman
Commander2 label	Minister of Defense
Commander3	Fayyad Al-Ruwaili
Commander3 label	Chief of the General Staff

Saudi Arabian Army. Formally known as the Royal Saudi Land Forces (RSLF), it is the principal land warfare branch of the Armed Forces of Saudi Arabia. Tracing its origins to the mid-18th century forces of the Emirate of Diriyah, the modern army was established following the capture of Riyadh by Abdulaziz Ibn Saud in 1902. It operates under the command of the Ministry of Defense and is a key component of the kingdom's national security strategy, equipped with a mix of Western, primarily American, and European weaponry.

History

The army's foundational history is intertwined with the rise of the House of Saud and the First Saudi State. Following the collapse of the Emirate of Nejd, the modern force was effectively reborn with the Battle of Riyadh, which initiated the Unification of Saudi Arabia. Key early conflicts that shaped the force include the Saudi–Rashidi War and the Saudi–Yemeni War (1934). During the Cold War, its development accelerated with significant support from the United States, formalized through agreements like the U.S. Military Training Mission and bolstered by partnerships with nations such as the United Kingdom and France. Its first major modern combat deployment was during the Gulf War, where it fought as part of the international coalition against Iraq.

Organization

The army is organized into several regional commands, including the Eastern, Western, Northern, Southern, and Central Commands. Its combat power is centered on armored and mechanized brigades, with key formations such as the King Abdulaziz Armored Brigade and the King Fahd Armored Brigade. Other major units include the Royal Saudi Air Defense forces, which operate independently but in close coordination, and specialized branches like the Royal Saudi Strategic Missile Force. The Saudi Arabian National Guard, while a separate institution, often operates in tandem with the army for internal security.

Equipment

The army's inventory is dominated by advanced American armor, including over 400 M1 Abrams main battle tanks and hundreds of M2 Bradley infantry fighting vehicles. Its artillery corps fields systems like the M270 MLRS and the M109A6 Paladin. For reconnaissance and mobility, it utilizes the LAV-25 and M1117 Armored Security Vehicle. A significant portion of its equipment, such as the AMX-30 and M60 Patton, has been upgraded or is being phased out in favor of newer platforms. The force also maintains a large fleet of utility and transport vehicles, including the Humvee and various M939 Truck variants.

Personnel and training

Personnel are recruited through a combination of voluntary service and conscription, with officers primarily trained at the King Abdulaziz Military Academy in Riyadh. Specialized training is conducted at institutions like the King Faisal Air Academy for joint operations and the Prince Sultan Military College of Health Sciences. A substantial number of senior officers and technical personnel receive advanced training in allied countries, notably at facilities like the United States Army Command and General Staff College and various institutions in the United Kingdom. The army regularly participates in multinational exercises such as Operation Desert Falcon and Bright Star to enhance interoperability with forces like the United States Central Command.

Modernization and defense industry

The ongoing Saudi Vision 2030 economic reform program has placed major emphasis on modernizing the armed forces and developing a domestic defense industrial base. This is being pursued through massive arms procurement programs, such as the purchase of M1 Abrams tanks and AH-64 Apache helicopters, and the establishment of local joint ventures. Key entities driving this effort include the General Authority for Military Industries (GAMI) and the state-owned conglomerate Saudi Arabian Military Industries (SAMI), which collaborate with international firms like Lockheed Martin, BAE Systems, and Raytheon Technologies. A landmark project is the local assembly and maintenance of Patriot missile systems.

Role and deployments

The army's primary role is the defense of the kingdom's territorial integrity and the protection of critical infrastructure, such as oil facilities in the Eastern Province. Its most significant ongoing deployment is in the Saudi Arabian-led intervention in Yemen, where it has engaged Houthi forces along the border and supported the Presidential Leadership Council. It also maintains a permanent presence securing the Holy Cities of Mecca and Medina. The army contributes to regional security initiatives, including the Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition, and has historically deployed troops to peacekeeping missions under the United Nations and the Arab League.

Category:Military of Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabia