战略与国际研究中心-Saudi-Military-Forces-Enter-the-21st-Century_-Military-Graphs-and-Tables_75页_347kb

Summary of Saudi Military Forces in the 21st Century

Core Content

This document is a draft analysis by Anthony H. Cordesman, focusing on the military capabilities and trends of Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states in the early 21st century. It is part of the CSIS "Saudi Arabia Enters the 21st Century Project," which examines the strategic, political, economic, and military position of Saudi Arabia and its implications for Gulf stability and the US role in the region. The report includes a range of military graphs and tables, providing detailed data on manpower, equipment, and expenditures.

Main Points

• Project Overview: The project aims to assess the strategic future of Saudi Arabia, considering internal and external factors such as economic development, regional relations, energy policies, and security dynamics. It also evaluates the implications of these changes on Gulf stability and US interests.

• Military Trends: The analysis covers the evolution of military forces in the Gulf, including the growth of military manpower, equipment, and defense expenditures from the 1980s to the early 2000s.

• Military Manpower: The document provides a detailed breakdown of the military manpower of Gulf states, including active, reserve, and paramilitary forces. Saudi Arabia has a significant military presence, with 162,500 active personnel in 2001, including the National Guard.

• Military Capabilities: Saudi Arabia's military capabilities are analyzed in terms of tanks, armored fighting vehicles (AFVs), artillery, and aircraft. It holds a substantial inventory of military equipment, with 1,055 tanks, 4,285 AFVs, and 568 artillery pieces in 2001.

• Defense Expenditures: The report discusses Saudi Arabia's military spending as a percentage of its Gross National Product (GNP), government expenditures, and imports. Military spending has been a significant portion of the country's budget, reflecting its strategic emphasis on security and stability.

• Arms Imports and Exports: Saudi Arabia has been a major recipient of arms imports, particularly from the United States. The report highlights the shift in arms deliveries and agreements before and after the Gulf War, indicating a growing reliance on foreign military support.

• Comparison with Neighboring States: The document compares Saudi Arabia's military demographics and capabilities with those of neighboring Gulf states, emphasizing the differences in manpower and equipment distribution.

Key Information

Military Manpower

• Total Active Manning in 2001: Saudi Arabia has 162,500 active military personnel.
• Active Army Manning: 127,000.
• Active Air Force Manning: 18,000.
• Active Navy Manning: 13,500.
• National Guard Active Manning: 57,000.
• Total National Guard Manning: 100,000.

Military Equipment

• Tanks: Saudi Arabia has 1,055 tanks.
• Armored Fighting Vehicles (AFVs): 4,285.
• Artillery: 568 pieces.
• Combat Aircraft: 432.
• Helicopters: 184 armed and 151 other.
• SAM Launchers: 128 major and 309 light.
• AA Guns: 10.

Military Expenditures

• Military Spending as a Percentage of GNP: Saudi Arabia's military spending is a notable portion of its GNP, indicating a strong commitment to maintaining a robust military force.
• Military Spending as a Percentage of Government Expenditures: Also significant, reflecting the strategic importance of the military within the country's budget.
• Military Spending as a Percentage of Imports: Military spending constitutes a large share of Saudi imports, highlighting the country's reliance on foreign arms and technology.

Arms Imports and Agreements

• Arms Imports: The document shows a steady increase in arms imports to Saudi Arabia, particularly from the United States.
• Arms Agreements: The volume of arms agreements has increased, especially after the Gulf War, indicating a strategic shift in military procurement.
• Comparative Arms Deliveries: Saudi Arabia's arms deliveries are compared with those to Iran and Iraq, showing a more significant focus on Western suppliers.

Regional Security Implications

• Conventional Military Build-Up: The Gulf region has seen a conventional military build-up, which has implications for regional security dynamics.
• Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD): The creeping proliferation of WMDs in the Gulf is a concern for Saudi Arabia's security and stability.
• Security Position: The expansion of Saudi Arabia's oil, gas, and petrochemical exports has had strategic implications for its security and foreign relations.

Conclusion

The report underscores the importance of understanding the military trends and capabilities of Saudi Arabia in the context of its broader strategic, political, and economic developments. It highlights the country's significant military investment and the role of external suppliers, particularly the United States, in shaping its military modernization. The analysis also considers the implications of these trends for regional stability and the strategic position of the United States in the Gulf. The document serves as a working draft and is subject to revision based on feedback from policymakers and experts.