Air Command and Saudi Arabia




Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has huge reserves of hydrocarbons, consistently ranks among the countries exporting determining global oil prices. Proven oil reserves are 260 billion barrels (24% of proven oil reserves in the world).

Exports of crude oil is a source of wealth and prosperity of the state. It generates 75% of revenues. Consistently high revenues from oil exports led to a number of social reforms in the country and create a modern infrastructure.

Saudi Arabia is an absolute monarchy controlled by the sons and grandsons of the first king Abdel Aziz. Laws in the kingdom are based on Islamic law, the authority of King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud of the Saudi dynasty limited only Shariah.

Royals hold key leadership positions in the army and the security services. In the armed forces of the kingdom are serving more than 220,000 people, all contractors. For military service involved and citizens of other countries - mostly instructors and technicians.

Saudi Arabia ranks among the top ten countries in terms of financing the armed forces, now defense spending exceeds 10% of GDP - about $ 50 billion for comparison - Russian military expenditure in 2013 amounted to $ 69 billion

Huge financial resources allow to buy in large quantities most advanced weapons techniques of Western production. The air force is about 300 combat aircraft (13 squadrons) and 80 helicopters (a part of combat vehicles is in storage).



In the kingdom has developed airfield network, including 15 military airfields, including five major air bases (each is headed by Brigadier General, reporting directly to the commander of the Air Force). Main airbase airfield infrastructure have developed satisfying the highest modern standards, for all existing combat aircraft built with high level of capital concrete shelter.

Air Command and Saudi Arabia are the most dynamically developing branches of the armed forces. Leadership of the country sees them as the main striking force and deterrent and put in front of them ambitious goal - to become the strongest in the Middle East.

Constitute the basis of the Saudi Air Force heavy fighters US-made F-15 "Eagle" in different versions. Deliveries of the F-15 were carried out with the early 80s. Then Saudi Air Force received 84 such fighter.


Saudi fighter F-15 "Eagle"

In the 1996-1998 year were delivered to 72 additional aircraft modified F-15S. This machine is a somewhat simplified version of the shock F-15E, compared with the original version of the Saudi fighters were equipped with radar and electronic warfare systems relevant F-15C / D. 48 aircraft optimized for ground attacks, the remaining 24 to be used as interceptors.



In December 2011, ordered an additional batch of 84 fighters F-15SA modification in the amount of $ 11.4 billion in April 2012 signed a contract for the modernization of existing aircraft F-15S Strike Eagle to version F-15SA totaling $ 410.6 million As a result of this transaction, the Saudi kingdom has become the second largest operator of the F-15 after the United States.



To date, Saudi F-15SA fighter jets are the most advanced fighter in the family of the F-15. They are equipped with engines GE F110-GE-129, additional weapons systems, electronic warfare systems and counter, "glass" cockpit, and infrared detection and tracking systems and radar stations with active phased array antenna.

Another type of modern combat aircraft, procured in Europe became a fighter "Typhoon", produced by a consortium Alenia Aeronautica, BAE Systems and EADS. As part of the Saudi Air Force 32 machines of this type.


Saudi fighter "Typhoon"

Saudi Arabia signed an additional contract worth 4.43 billion pounds for the delivery of 72 aircraft. The contract is planned to organize licensed assembly of the Eurofighter in the kingdom. "Typhoons" should replace the outdated American lightweight fighters F-5E / F that are currently stored or used for training purposes.


Fighter F-5F Tiger II Saudi Air Force

In the Royal Air Force operated as Panavia Tornado combat aircraft in versions interceptor - Tornado ADV (F3) - 15 units and fighter-bomber - Tornado IDS (GR1) - 82 pcs. Deliveries were made from 1989 to 1998.


Satellite image of Google Earth: airplanes "Tornado" at the airport Tabuk

Part of the machine because of its service life taken out of service and is in storage. Under the current modernization program to be equipped with shock "Tornado" more modern electronic means and weapons.


Saudi fighter interceptor Tornado F3

It is assumed that the next 10-15 years, these aircraft will remain in service. Remaining in flying condition Tornado F3 interceptors were returned to the UK as a partial payment for delivered fighters "Typhoon"



Park training aircraft (TCB) includes about 100 machines, summarized in seven squadrons ("Hawk» Mk 65, PC-9, Cessna 172, Super Mushshak). Available 40 jet TCB "Hawk» Mk 65 / Mk 65A can be used as a light attack aircraft.


Saudi TCB "Hawk"

To "the Hawk" Saudi pilots flying aerobatic team "Saudi Hawks" are based on the King Faisal Air Base (Tabuk).


AWACS displays them on a higher level of quality. First Saudi E-3 was delivered in June 1986, the supply of the other four E-3 completed by September 1987.



No country in the region has not as part of their Air Force AWACS aircraft in its class. As part of the Israeli Air Force until 2002 were "flying radars" E-2C "Hawkeye" which in its capabilities significantly inferior AWACS aircraft. Another potential opponent of the Saudi - Shiite Iran formally owns two AWACS aircraft based on the Il-76, but their performance is questionable.


Satellite image of Google Earth: AWACS aircraft E-3A AWACS on behalf of the Prince Sultan Air Base

In 2012, Boeing was awarded a contract valued at $ 66,814 million for the modernization of communications and installation of new radar systems on aircraft AWACS E-3 RAF Saudi Arabia.

Core military transport aircraft are more than 40 PTS American C-130 Hercules various modifications, including 7 refueling KC-130H.


Air Force C-130 Saudi Arabia (Royal Wing)

In 2012, Saudi Arabia has purchased an additional 20 in the U.S. military transport aircraft HC-130J Super Hercules and five refueling aircraft KC-130J for the amount - $ 6.7 billion Also, there are two dozen Transport: CN-235, Boeing 737, Boeing 747, Boeing 757, MD-11, Jetstream 31. aerial refueling military aircraft provide 6 Boeing KE-3A. As part of the Air Force Royal Air Wing - 16 aircraft (Cessna 310 and Boeing 747 SP, CN-235m, a Boeing 737-200, VAE 125-800, VC-130H).

Helicopter aviation has 78 units (AH-64A, Bell 406 CS, AB-212, AB-206, SH-3). In the U.S., 70 attack helicopters ordered the latest modification of AH-64D Apache Longbow Block III, 72 transport helicopter UH-60M Black Hawk, 36 light reconnaissance AH-6i Little Bird helicopters and training 12 MD-530F.

Defense forces constitute a separate kind of armed forces of the kingdom. They consist of an anti-aircraft missile troops, anti-aircraft artillery pieces and RTV. In operational control of the air defense interceptors are from the Air Force. Organizational air defenses into six districts defense. These troops tasked with covering important administrative, economic and military infrastructure: capital, oil production regions, groupings, the air and missile bases. The air defense of Saudi Arabia is the basis of the air defense system "Peace Shield". Basically, its creation was completed in 1995.


Satellite image of Google Earth: layout radar (blue diamonds) and SAM (colored triangles) in Saudi Arabia.

"Peace Shield" includes 17 long-range detection radar AN/FPS-117, three radar systems D, coupled with radar and AN/PPS-43 AN/TPS-72 short and medium-range missiles.


Satellite image of Google Earth: airbases defense interceptors (red) and AWACS aircraft (Blue)

Airbases have operational centers that are integrated with AWACS aircraft, fighter aircraft, SAM batteries and antiaircraft artillery. Air defense of Saudi Arabia combined with a system of command, control, communications and intelligence "Peace Shield".

Total defense forces are armed with 144 PU SAM "Patriot", 128 PU SAM MIM-23B "Advanced Hawk", 141 self-propelled SAM PU "Shaheen" and 40 STCs "Crotal" and 270 anti-aircraft shells and 128 35mm LU "Oerlikon", 50 mm ZSU-30 AMX-30SA, 92 mm ZSU-20 M163 "Vulcan". In addition, the warehouses are 70 40-mm anti-aircraft guns L-70.


Short-range air defense system, "Shahin"

SAM American MIM-104 PAC-2 "Patriot" is the most modern anti-aircraft complexes in Saudi Arabia. SAMs of this type have been placed in the country during "Operation Desert Storm" to protect American troops. Since 1993, in fact in the armed forces of the kingdom was given 21 battery. Currently being negotiated with the United States to supply SAM "Patriot" PAC-3 modification.


PU SAM "Patriot"

Currently deployed and combat duty on a regular basis 11 batteries. In different parts of the country are prepared to deploy SAM position, some of them have high-strength concrete shelter for the equipment and personnel of the hopper.


Satellite image of Google Earth: appointed positions SAM "Patriot" with high-strength concrete shelters in Dhahran

Most of the batteries SAM "Patriot" is located along the northeastern coast of protecting mining areas and ports, through which oil exports.


Satellite image of Google Earth: detailed SAM "Patriot" in Riyadh

Beginning in the late 60s Saudi Arabia received SAM MIM-23 "Hawk", and later delivered a modernized version of "Advanced Hawk." Currently deployed 18 batteries. They are mainly deployed in the same areas as the SAM "Patriot".

Modern Air Command and guarantee high reliability protection key religious, industrial, defense and oil-producing centers. Strike capabilities of the Saudi Air Force in the Middle East is currently second only to the Israeli Air Force. Given the nearest future supplies of modern aircraft from the U.S. and Europe this gap, if not equal, then reduced to a minimum. Israelis will only have to rely on higher quality training for their pilots.

Saudi Arabia does not hide his ambition to be the regional superpower and leader of the Islamic world. Riyadh maintained a consistent policy to eliminate potential competitors, such as Syria, Iraq and Iran. Given the increasing regional instability, the Saudi ruling dynasty has spared no money to build the most powerful army in the region. Over the past 20 years, the Saudi armed forces increased more than twice, and they are equipped with the most modern weapons. In recent years, the kingdom has been actively research in the field of nuclear energy. In February 2014 came the news that Saudi Arabia intends to become a nuclear power. This is a rather disturbing information, given that the official religion in Saudi Arabia is Wahhabi Islam.

Based on:
http://www.globalfirepower.com/count...d=Saudi-Arabia
http://www.scramble.nl/sa.htm
http://geimint.blogspot.ru/2007/07/f...rom-space.html
Satellite imagery courtesy of Google Earth
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