| Unit Name: | Royal Saudi Land Forces |
| Native Name: | Arabic: القوات البرية الملكية السعودية |
| Country: | Saudi Arabia |
| Type: | Land forces |
| Role: | Ground-based warfare |
| Size: | 75,000[1] |
| Command Structure: | Armed Forces |
| Garrison: | Ministry Of Defense |
| Motto: | "الله أكبر" God is the greatest |
| Equipment: | List of equipment |
| Battles: | List of wars |
| Anniversaries: | 13 January
|
| Start Date: | 1744 de facto January 13, 1902 de jure[2] |
| Current Commander: | Lt. Gen. Fahd Al-Mutair |
| Notable Commanders: | Faisal of Saudi Arabia Abdulaziz of Saudi Arabia Turki bin Abdullah Al Saud (1755–1834) Abdulaziz bin Muhammad Al Saud Abdullah bin Saud Al Saud Faisal al-Duwaish Dhaydan bin Hithlain Sultan bin Bajad Al Otaibi Sultan bin Abdulaziz |
| Identification Symbol Label: | Flag |
| Identification Symbol 2 Label: | War flag |
The Saudi Arabian Army, officially the Royal Saudi Land Forces (Arabic: القُوَّاتُ البَرِّيَّةُ المَلَكِيَّة السُّعُودِيَّة|Al-Quwwat al-Bariyah al-Malakiyah as-Su'udiyah), is the principle land warfare branch of the Armed Forces of Saudi Arabia. It is part of the Saudi Ministry of Defense, which is one of the two military departments of the government of Saudi Arabia, together with the Ministry of National Guard.
The modern Army of Arabia has its roots in the Saudi state, which was dating to 1744,[2] and is considered to be the birth year of the Saudi army. As of 1901 the ground forces was re-established as a separate branch of the armed forces with the starting of the modern Saudi state. and it is considered the oldest branches of the Saudi Arabia's military.[3]
Historically, the MoW was created to unify the armies of the state under one military power. It was existed until 1933, when it was renamed "Agency of Defence" under the Finance Minister administration as Agent. By 1944, the Agency was developed (MoD) and incorporated into the Armed Forces Inspectorate.[4] [5]
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 hostile's actions, and as well as the Gulf War in 1990. In the year 2000, Saudi Arabia's government spent billions of dollars to expand the Saudi military including the Army. The current minister of defense is Prince Mohammad bin Salman, who was appointed on 23 January 2015.[6]
See main article: List of wars involving Saudi Arabia.
The combat strength of the Saudi Army consists of four armoured, five mechanized, two light infantry brigades, one airborne brigade, the Al-Saif Al-Ajrab guard brigade, the Saudi Royal Guard Regiment (three battalions), three helicopter groups, and three artillery brigades. In 2004, it was reported that the RSLF 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 deploy[ed] the 20th Mechanized Brigade and 8th Mechanized Brigade at King Khalid Military City near Hafr al Batin. The 10th Mechanized Brigade is deploy[ed] at Sharawrah, which is near the border with Yemen and about 150 kilometers from Zamak."
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 the separate Saudi Arabian National Guard also limits the pool of potential army recruits.
Armored Corps
A typical Saudi armoured brigade has an armoured reconnaissance company, three tank battalions with 35 tanks each, a mechanized infantry battalion with 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.[10]
Mechanized
A typical Saudi mechanized brigade has an armoured reconnaissance company, one tank battalion with 40 tanks, three mechanized infantry battalions with 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. It has 24 anti-tank guided weapons launchers and four mortar sections with a total of eight 81mm mortars.[10]
Infantry
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.
Airborne Units and Special Security Forces
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 Corps
Aviation
See main article: List of equipment of the Saudi Arabian Army.