Royal Saudi Air Force

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Royal Saudi Air Force
القوات الجوية الملكية السعودية
Royal Saudi Air Force embelm.svg
The Royal Saudi Air Force's emblem
Founded 1920s – present
Country  Saudi Arabia
Allegiance King of Saudi Arabia
Type Military aviation force
Role Aerial warfare
Size 672 aircraft[1]
Part of Armed Forces of Saudi Arabia
Nickname(s) "RSAF", "RSAAF", "SAF", "SAAF"
Engagements The Tanker War
Persian Gulf War Intervention against ISIL
Shia insurgency in Yemen[2]
Commanders
Chief of Air Staff Lieutenant General Mohammed bin Ahmed Alshaa'lan, RSAF
Insignia
Roundels Roundel of the Royal Saudi Air Force.svg Roundel of the Royal Saudi Air Force-Low Visibility.svg
Flags 200px
200px
Aircraft flown
Attack Eurofighter Typhoon
Panavia Tornado IDS
Bomber Boeing F-15S
Panavia Tornado IDS
Electronic
warfare		 Boeing RE-3A
Boeing E-3A
Fighter Eurofighter Typhoon
Boeing F-15C/S
Interceptor Eurofighter Typhoon
Boeing F-15C/S
Reconnaissance Northrop RF-5E
Panavia Tornado IDS
Trainer Pilatus PC-9A
BAE Hawk
Transport Lockheed C-130

The Royal Saudi Air Force (RSAF; Arabic: القوات الجوية الملكية السعودية‎‎, al-quwwāt al-ğawwiyyah al-malakiyyah as-suʿūdiyyah), is the aviation branch of the Saudi Arabian armed forces. The RSAF has developed from a largely defensive military force into one with an advanced offensive capability. The RSAF maintains the third largest fleet of F-15s after the American and Japanese air forces.

The backbone of the RSAF is currently the Boeing F-15 Eagle, with the Panavia Tornado also forming a major component. The Tornado and many other aircraft were delivered under the Al Yamamah contracts with British Aerospace (now BAE Systems). The RSAF ordered various weapons in the 1990s, including Sea Eagle anti-ship missiles, laser-guided bombs and gravity bombs. Al-Salam, a successor to the Al Yamamah agreement will see 72 Eurofighter Typhoons delivered by BAE.

History

The RSAF was formed in the mid-1920s with British assistance. It was re-organized in 1950 and began to receive American assistance from 1952 including the use of Dhahran Airfield by the United States Air Force.

The Saudi forces are equipped with mainly western hardware. Main suppliers are companies in the United Kingdom and the United States of America. Both the UK and the US are involved in training programs conducted in Saudi Arabia.

Derelict RSAF T-28A Trojan, one of four acquired in the 1950s, at King Abdulaziz University
RSAF Roundel on the side of a Lightning Aircraft

During the 1980s and 1990s, by Middle Eastern standards the armed forces of Saudi Arabia were relatively small. Its strength however was derived from advanced technology. The backbone of the fighter force is formed by 134 Tornados from which a batch of 48 Tornado IDS were ordered in 1993 under the al-Yamamah II program and 72 F-15S aircraft delivered from the mid-1990s that operate beside the more than 120 F-15C/D aircraft delivered starting in 1981. Aircraft training is executed on the Pilatus PC-9, BAe Hawk, Boeing F-15D Eagle and the Northrop F-5F Tiger II. The C-130 Hercules is the mainstay of the transport fleet and the Hercules is assisted by CASA CN-235s. Reconnaissance is performed by 17 Squadron with its RF-5E and the Boeing E-3A is the Airborne Early Warning platform operated by 18 Squadron.

The VIP support fleet consists of a wide variety of civil registered aircraft such as the Boeing 707, 737 and 747, Lockheed Tri-Stars, MD11s and G1159A as well as Lockheed L-100-30. The HZ- prefix used in the civilian registrations of these aircraft derived from the former name of the territory (Hejaz)

Recent purchases

The Al Yamamah contract was controversial because of the alleged bribes associated with its award. Nonetheless, the RSAF announced its intention to purchase the Typhoon from BAE Systems in December 2005. On 18 August 2006 a memorandum of understanding was signed for 72 aircraft in a GB£6-10 billion deal.[3]

Following this order, the investigation of the Al Yamamah contract was suppressed by the British Prime minister Tony Blair in December 2006, citing "strategic interests" of the UK. On the 17 September 2007 Saudi Arabia announced it had signed a £4.4bn deal with BAE Systems for 72 Typhoons.[4]

On 29 December 2011, the United States signed a $29.4 billion deal to sell 84 F-15s in the SA (Saudi Advanced) configuration. The sale includes upgrades for the older F-15s up to the SA standard and related equipment and services.[5]

On 23 May 2012, British defence firm BAE Systems is to sell 22 BAE Hawk advanced jet trainer aircraft to the Royal Saudi Air Force for a total of £1.9 billion ($3 billion). The deal also includes simulators, ground and training equipment and spares.[6]

On April 2013, British defence firm BAE Systems delivers the first two new Typhoons of 24 to Saudi Arabia.

In 2013, the USAF tendered for security services to protect the Saudi air force from Cyberwarfare.[7]

Divisions

RSAF BAe Hawk

The RSAF units are divided into Wings that are dispersed across the seven air bases:

Units of the RSAF

RSAF F-15C Eagle about to refuel from a KC-135 over the Persian Gulf
RSAF Boeing E-3A Sentry
RSAF Lockheed C-130H Hercules
  • 1 Squadron (Royal Flight/BBJ&HS125)
  • 2 Squadron (F-15)
  • 3 Squadron (Eurofighter Typhoon)
  • 4 Squadron (C-130)
  • 5 Squadron (F-15)
  • 6 Squadron (F-15)
  • 7 Squadron (Tornado IDS)
  • 8 Squadron (The Mushshak)
  • 9 Squadron (PC-9)
  • 10 Squadron (Eurofighter Typhoon)
  • 11 Squadron (Royal Flight/G-IV&CE550)
  • 12 Squadron (Bell 212)
  • 13 Squadron (F-15)
  • 14 Squadron (Helicopters)
  • 15 Squadron (F-5B possibly transitioning to the Eurofighter Typhoon)
  • 16 Squadron (C-130)
  • 18 Squadron (E-3/KE-3A)
  • 19 Squadron (RE-3A)
  • 21 Squadron (Hawk)
  • 22 Squadron (PC-9)
  • 27 Squadron (Eurofighter Typhoon)
  • 29 Squadron (Tornado ADV to be replaced with the Eurofighter Typhoon)
  • 30 Squadron (Helicopters)
  • 32 Squadron (KC-130H)
  • 33 Squadron (Royal Medical Flight)
  • 34 Squadron (F-15)
  • 35 Squadron (Jetstream)
  • 37 Squadron (F-15)
  • 44 Squadron (Bell 412)
  • 55 Squadron (F-15)
  • 75 Squadron (Tornado IDS)
  • 77 Squadron (F-15)
  • 79 Squadron (Hawk)
  • 80 Squadron (Eurofighter Typhoon)[8]
  • 83 Squadron (Tornado IDS)
  • 88 Squadron (Hawk)
  • 92 Squadron (F-15)
  • 99 Squadron (Cougar)

Current aircraft inventory

On 11 August 2011, The Saudi Royal Air Force received 48 Typhoons from British Royal Air Force (Taif Airbase). On 12 August 2009, UPI reported that Saudi Arabia was seeking upgrades for their E-3 fleet and aerial refuelling tanker aircraft.[9]

In October 2010, an interest for a 60 billion USD defense procurement package from the US was unveiled. It consisted of $29.4 billion for 84 F-15SA fighters, upgrade of the existing F-15S to the same standard, parts and munitions as well as another 30 billion for 72 UH-60M, 36 AH-6I, 36 AH-64D, 12 MD530 helicopters and parts. The helicopter request is for the Saudi Arabian Army.[10]

Aircraft Origin Role Version Quantity Note
Fighter aircraft
McDonnell Douglas F-15E Strike Eagle U.S. Strike fighter SA
S		 84 on order
70		 70 S variant to be upgraded to SA standard.[11][12]
McDonnell Douglas F-15C Eagle U.S. Fighter C
D		 70
16		 .[13]
Eurofighter Typhoon U.K. Multirole fighter T.2
T.3A		 48
24		 72 on order, all will be manufactured by BAE Warton facility, instead of planned final assembly line in Saudi Arabia.[14] A further 72 may be up.[15]
Panavia Tornado IDS U.K. Ground attack 80 Being upgraded at a cost of $4.66 billion.
Trainer aircraft
BAe Hawk U.K. Advanced trainer Mk. 65
Mk. 65A		 29 22 Hawk AJT on order, delivery planned in 2016.
BAe Jetstream U.K. Trainer 31 1 2 delivered, S/n 2102 crashed near Dhahran 14 October 1989, killing all 5 on board[16]
Raytheon King Air 350 U.S. Special Mission / Electronic Warfare 6 3 on order
Super Mushshaaq Pakistan Trainer — 20
Pilatus PC-9 Switzerland Trainer — 47
Pilatus PC-21 Switzerland Trainer — 0 55 on order for 2014
Cirrus SR22 U.S. Trainer 25 replaced The Reims Cessna F172s
Transport / Special mission
Airbus A340 France Transport A340-213 1 Royal Flight
Airbus A330 MRTT Spain Transport & refuelling MRTT 6[17]
BAe 125 U.K. Transport B 4 Royal Flight
Boeing 747 U.S. VIP Transport 747-300
747SP		 2 Royal Flight, 747-300 from Saudi Arabian Airlines
Boeing 757 U.S. Medical Transport — 1
Boeing 737 U.S. Transport BBJ1
BBJ2		 1
1		 Royal Flight
Saab 2000 AEW&C Sweden airborne early warning and control — probably 3
Boeing E-3 Sentry U.S. AWACS
Airborne Refuelling
SIGINT/ELINT		 E-3A
KE-3A
RE-3A		 5
5
3		 E-3A seeking upgrades
Being upgraded & then replaced by A330 MRRT, 3 converted to RE-3A reconnaissance aircraft.[18]
CASA CN-235 Spain Transport M-10 4 Royal Flight
Cessna 550 Citation Bravo U.S. Transport C550 4 Royal Flight
Gates Learjet 35 U.S. Transport A 2 Both transferred to the Royal Saudi Armed Forces Medical Wing in July 2009
Gulfstream III U.S. Transport — 2
Gulfstream IV U.S. Transport — 1
Gulfstream V U.S. Medical Transport — 2
Lockheed C-130 Hercules U.S. Transport
Airborne refuelling
VIP transport		 E/H
KC-130H
VC-130H		 30
7
5
Lockheed Martin C-130J Super Hercules U.S. Transport
Airborne Refuelling		 C-130J-30
KC-130J		 0
0		 20 on order.[19]
5 on order.[19]
Lockheed L-100 Hercules U.S. Transport L-100-30 6
McDonnell Douglas MD-11 U.S. Transport MD-11 1 Royal Flight
Transport / Attack helicopters
Agusta-Bell 212 Italy Transport helicopter — 27
Agusta-Sikorsky AS-61 Italy Transport helicopter A-4 3 Royal Flight
Bell 205 U.S. Transport Helicopter — 24
Bell 212 / Bell 412 U.S. Transport helicopter EP 37
Eurocopter AS532 Cougar France Combat search and rescue M 12
Eurocopter AS365 Dauphin France Naval helicopter
Medical helicopter		 F
N		 24 The SA-365F variants are operated by Royal Saudi Naval Aviation.
Eurocopter AS332 Super Puma France Naval helicopter F 13 Operated by Royal Saudi Naval Aviation.

Gallery

  • Current and former aircraft of the Royal Saudi Air Force (RSAF)

  • An RSAF Eurofighter Typhoon at Malta on delivery

  • A Boeing F-15S Eagle, the prime strike fighter of the RSAF

  • Royal Saudi Arabian Air Force pilot adjusts his oxygen mask while in the cockpit of an F-5 Tiger II aircraft prior to flying a training mission in 1982.

  • Saudi Hawk 8805.jpg

    A RSAF British Aerospace Hawk in 2011

  • A RSAF F-5 Tiger during the Persian Gulf War

  • C-130 Saudi Air Force

Commanders

The following officers have been commanders of the RSAF:

  • 1985–1996, Lieutenant General Ahmed Ibrahim Behery
  • Unknown- 4 April 2004, Lieutenant General Abdul Aziz bin Mohammad Al-Henadi
  • 5 April 2004, Prince Lieutenant General Abdulrahman bin Fahd Al-Faisal[20]
  • Lieutenant General Mohamed Al Ayesh
  • Lieutenant General Fayyadh H. AL Ruwaili
  • May 14, 2014 - June 10, 2015 Lieutenant General Mohammad Bin Ahmad Al-Shaalan[21]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Flightglobal - World Air Forces 2015 (PDF), Flightglobal.com
  2. ↑ [1] Archived November 6, 2009 at the Wayback Machine
  3. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  4. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  5. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  6. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  7. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  8. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  9. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  10. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  11. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  12. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  13. ↑ Air Forces Monthly - February 2013 pg32 accessed 18 January 2013
  14. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  15. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  16. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  17. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  18. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  19. ↑ 19.0 19.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  20. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  21. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.

External links

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