The SA-365F variants are operated by Royal Saudi Naval Aviation. With an eye on the Middle East market, which Leonardo believes has a requirement for 150-200 advanced jet trainers between 2019-2028, the Italian company has teamed up with the Italian Air Force to launch the International Flight Training School (IFTS). [14] On 28 December 2021, The Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for Yemen, Hans Grundberg, raised an alarm about the safety of civilians in the war-torn Yemen given the escalating violence, including airstrikes carried out by the Saudi-led coalition. He also underlined that violations of international humanitarian and human rights law cannot continue with impunity. Withdrawn from frontline service aside from the training role, some squadrons such as #10 based in Taif will be replaced with the Eurofighter Typhoon. On 11 August 2011, The Saudi Royal Air Force received 24 Typhoons from British Royal Air Force (Taif Airbase). We do not sell any of the items showcased on this site. 72 on order, all will be manufactured by BAE Warton facility, instead of planned final assembly line in Saudi Arabia. However, those coming from Saudi or the UAE will only have flown turboprop PC-7s and PC-21s before heading back to Bahrain to fly the BAE Hawks and the Hawk simulator at Isa Air Base, then progressing to the F-5 and the F-16. A fortnight ago, Riyadh hosted the chiefs of staff of 14 countries from the global coalition against Daesh in an attempt to improve and step up coordination.Despite the turmoil in the Arab world since 2011, including in neighboring Iraq and Yemen, Saudi Arabia has been determined to constantly upgrade its armed forces, particularly the RSAF. Saudi Arabia is a defender of neighboring Arab countries against potential aggression from destabilizing powers such as Iran.In 2015, Saudi Arabia formed the Islamic Military Alliance to Fight Terrorism (IMAFT) which is made up of 40 Muslim countries. Egypt, which operates one of the biggest F-16 fleets, currently appears none-too-keen to acquire more US fighters because of the many conditions imposed on sales and the threat of possible sanctions. The RSAF was formed in the mid-1920s with British assistance from the remains of the Hejaz Air Force. The Saudis have a big enough fighter force to be able to handle the induction of another 48 Typhoons, and the training needs are being handled by BAE Systems, a major player in the desert kingdom. Dassault carried out the latter at Istres Air Base. The Tornado and many other aircraft were delivered under the Al Yamamah contracts with British Aerospace (now BAE Systems). Al-Salam, a successor to the Al Yamamah agreement will see 72 Eurofighter Typhoons delivered by BAE. The C-130 Hercules is the mainstay of the transport fleet and the Hercules is assisted by CASA CN-235s. [6], 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. Al-Salam, a successor to the Al Yamamah agreement will see 48 Eurofighter Typhoons delivered by BAE. 2019 SAUDI RESEARCH & PUBLISHING COMPANY, All Rights Reserved And subject to Terms of Use Agreement. Tick the boxes of the newsletters you would like to receive. The top stories of the day delivered to you every weekday. Students coming from Egypt fly the Grob 115s and then the Hongdu K-8 Korakoram before heading back to the RBAFs Isa Air Base to fly the F-5s and then progress to the F-16s. We'll never share your email address. Neither the French Air Force or Dassault responded to requests for more information. On April 2013, British defence firm BAE Systems delivers the first two new Typhoon Eurofighters of 24 to KSA. Early aircraft used by the RSAF included the Caproni Ca.100, Albatros D.III, Armstrong Whitworth F.K.8, Farman MF.11 Airco DH.9, dH 82 Tiger Moth, Westland Wapiti, Avro Anson, Douglas C-47, and the B-26 Invader. The "Military Factory" name and MilitaryFactory.com logo are registered U.S. trademarks protected by all applicable domestic and international intellectual property laws. After signing the 5 billion deal for 24 Eurofighter Typhoons on September 17, 2017, the UK Royal Air Force (RAF) re-established No 12 Squadron on July 24, 2018 as a joint Qatar Air Force-RAF Typhoon training unit at RAF Coningsby. The Boeing E-3A is the Airborne Early Warning platform operated by No. The RSAF ordered various weapons in the 1990s, including Sea Eagle anti-ship missiles, laser-guided bombs and gravity bombs. A second batch of 22 Hawk Mk 165 advanced jet trainers was announced in February 2015 to augment the 22 already delivered and the 55 Pilatus PC-21s flying at the RSAFs King Faisal Air Academy. The Royal Saudi Air Force has received the F-15SA advanced fighter aircraft, marking the final delivery of the Boeing-produced aircraft as part of a $29bn foreign military sales (FMS) agreement signed in 2010. On the 17 September 2007 Saudi Arabia announced it had signed a 4.4bn deal with BAE Systems for 72 Eurofighter Typhoons. Currently 61 Stormo works with an impressive M345/346 integrated training system concept at Lecce, where ground-based training systems (GBTS), like the real-time monitoring system (RTMS), are linked up to a full mission simulator (FMS), flight-training device (FTD) and a mission planning/debriefing system (MPDS). It is unclear if there any ab-initio pilots coming straight from the academy yet. What happens after that we dont yet know, said al Khalifa. An advanced version of the F-15S, the F-15SA is equipped with several capabilities to enable the Royal Saudi Air Force to deter regional threats. On 17 September 2007 Saudi Arabia announced it had signed a 4.4bn deal with BAE Systems for 72 Typhoons. The following officers have been commanders of the RSAF: Military Wiki is a FANDOM Lifestyle Community. The Royal Saudi Air Force currently has approximately 1,106 aircraft, 40,000 active personnel, 23,000 recruits, 9 wings, +99 squadrons, and a Special Forces unit dedicated to combat search and rescue. The deployment provided personnel from 12 Squadron the chance to develop a closer working relationship, ahead of the first QEAF flight crews joining the unit early this year. 15 Squadron (F-5B possibly transitioning to Eurofighter Typhoons), 29 Squadron (Tornado ADV to be replaced with Eurofighter Typhoons), 1985-1996, Lieutenant General Ahmed Ibrahim Behery, 5 April 2004, Prince Lieutenant General Abdulrahman bin Fahd Al-Faisal. RIYADH: With the introduction of the latest and the most advanced fighter jets, the Royal Saudi Air Force (RSAF) is set to acquire a new cutting edge in its defense of the homeland and the region.King Salman will patronize the induction of the F-15SA into the RSAF during the 50th anniversary on Wednesday of the King Faisal Air Academy (KFAA). As part of the Magic Carpet arms deal between the United Kingdom and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, four single-seat Hawker Hunter F.6s and two Hunter T.7s were ordered from Hawker in 1966. Both the UK and the US are involved in training programs conducted in Saudi Arabia. Airframes detailed as manned rotary-wing platforms used in the transport, special-mission, or direct-attack roles. Qatar has bought the biggest number of new fighters 24 Eurofighter Typhoons from BAE Systems, 36 Dassault Rafales and 36 Boeing F-15QA and undoubtedly faces the biggest headache over pilot training. These new F-16s will add to our current capability and will be integrated with the assets of other allied air forces, he said. Privacy policy. This air service's Global Rank when compared to the rest of the national powers of WDMMA. [3], 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 RSAF units are divided into Wings that are dispersed across the seven air bases: RSAF F-15C Eagle about to refuel from a KC-135 over the Persian Gulf, An RSAF Tornado F3 during Operation Desert Storm, Boeing F-15S Eagle, the strike fighter of the RSAF. Qatar decided to step up its pilot training with the acquisition of eight Super Mushshaks for primary flying training, which were delivered in two batches of four by the end of 2018. The first three dual-seat DMs were subsequently delivered in July 2015 with EAF instructor pilots on board, who are now training the new batches of pilots coming from Mirage 2000s and F-16s. Airframes reserved for dedicated Basic, Advanced, Flight, and Helicopter airman training. It consisted of around 30 billion for 84 F-15SA fighters, upgrade of the existing F-15S to the same standard, parts and munitions as well as other 30 billion for 72 UH-60M, 36 AH-6I, 36 AH-64D, 12 MD530 helicopters and parts. Aircraft set to be delivered in the current procurement year or in subsequent year(s). 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. An original 6.3 billion ($7.8 billion) order for 24 Rafales, including six dual-seaters was signed on May 4 2015, and included weapons and training provision. 2020 SAUDI RESEARCH & PUBLISHING COMPANY, All Rights Reserved And subject to Terms of Use Agreement. The backbone of the strike / ground attack force is formed by ca 70 Tornados (a second 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 remnants of more than 120 F-15C/D aircraft delivered starting in 1981. and receive the latest content every week. RSAF Wing 11 at King Abdulaziz Air Base, Dhahran, 13 Squadron (F-15C And F-15D) - previously, 29 Squadron (Tornado ADV to be replaced with the F-15SA), This page was last edited on 13 July 2022, at 21:06. To train pilots, Kuwait has ordered two tactical operational flight-trainers (TOFTs) one legacy system modified for the Super Hornet and one new unit. The backbone of the fighter force is formed by 134 Panavia 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-90s that operate beside the more than 120 F-15C/D aircraft delivered starting in 1981. Pilot training is executed on the Pilatus PC-21 and BAe Hawk. Meanwhile the Royal Saudi Air Force is looking at upgrading its Super Mushshaks with new Garmin glass cockpits. The first TOFT will be delivered to a US location to support initial aircrew training, which is scheduled to begin in the first quarter of 2021. The commander is looking forward to their arrival in 2022. To be withdrawn from service & shipped to the UK in a buy back package part of the Al Salam deal for 72 Typhoon F2. [5] 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. It is unclear if the French Air Force will opt to work the same way as the RAF. The aircraft was delivered by the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center (AFLCMC), which manages all FMS cases for the U.S. Air Force. 22 Hawk AJT on order, delivery planned in 2016. TheF-15 Strike Eagleis a world-renowned dual role fighter with an already exemplary reputation. One single-seat aircraft was lost in 1967 and the remaining aircraft were presented to Jordan in 1968. [15], A June 2022 report by The Washington Post and the Security Force Monitor at Columbia Law School's Human Rights Institute stated that a "substantial portion" of airstrikes by the Saudi-led campaign were "carried out by jets developed, maintained and sold by U.S. companies, and by pilots who were trained by the US military". The C-130 Hercules is the mainstay of the transport fleet and the Hercules is assisted by CN-235s and Raytheon King Air 350 light transports. During the 1980s and 1990s, by Middle Eastern standards the armed forces of Saudi Arabia were relatively small. An additional 12 Rafale fighter order was signed off on March 27, 2017. [7], On 29 December 2011, the United States signed a $29.4billion deal to sell 84 F-15s in the SA (Saudi Advanced) configuration. Tehran has, for many years now, been seeking more Iranian influence by supporting militias in the Middle East. Orbis, "Warplane" partwork, Issue 20 (1985), p388. The threat from Iran and its state-sponsored terrorism are the biggest security concerns in the Middle East, as the Tehran government fights a number of proxy wars in Iraq, Syria and Lebanon. [9] In April 2013, BAE Systems delivered the first two new Typhoons of 24 to Saudi Arabia. The 260hp Super Mushshak is already flown in the region by the Royal Saudi Air Force (20) and Royal Air Force of Oman (8) to fulfil primary training roles. Interoperability in the Middle East has come a long way since the first Gulf War in 1991 and these new fighters and tactics will play a significant role, although right now that might be too early for most of them. On 18 August 2006 a memorandum of understanding was signed for 72 aircraft in a GB6-10 billion deal. In addition to the new aircraft, the FMS case also includes associated spares, stores, simulators, training, technical documentation, base construction and other related logistical and program support. This will continue into next year, when training will relocate to Qatar and run to August 2026. The $12 billion deal, which was updated with a $6.2 billion undefined contract, also includes US-based lead-in-fighter-training for the F-15QAs. The first five of the 24 Rafales were officially handed over at Dunhon Air Base on June 4, 2019. Its strength however was derived from advanced technology. Royal Flight, 747-300 from Saudi Arabian Airlines. 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. The Rafales flew their first combat mission in May 2018 and, in March 2019, Rafales from both the French Air Force and Egyptian Air Force were involved in their first joint exercise, indicating that the aircraft and their crews were now fully operational.