Royal Saudi Air Force

{{short description|Air warfare branch of Saudi Arabia's military}} {{Use dmy dates|date=April 2019}} {{Infobox military unit | unit_name = Royal Saudi Air Force | native_name = {{lang|ar|القوات الجوية الملكية السعودية}} | image = {{ubl | frameless | frameless }} | image_size = | caption = Emblem and logo of the Royal Saudi Air Force | start_date = {{plainlist| * {{start date and age|1916|df=yes}} — ''de facto''<ref>{{Cite book |author=David Fromkin |author-link=David Fromkin |title=A Peace to End All Peace: The Fall of the Ottoman Empire and the Creation of the Modern Middle East |publisher=Macmillan |year=2010 |isbn=978-0-8050-8809-0}}</ref> * {{start date and age|1921|df=yes}} — official * {{start date and age|1952|11|16|df=yes}} — current form }} | country = {{plainlist| * 20px Kingdom of Hejaz {{small|(1916–1925)}} * 20px Kingdom of Hejaz and Nejd {{small|(1926–1932)}} * 20px Kingdom of Saudi Arabia {{small|(1932–present)}} }} | allegiance = | branch = | type = Air force | role = Aerial warfare | size = 30,000 personnel 917 total aircraft<ref name="World Air Forces 2026">{{cite web |last=Hoyle |first=Craig |year=2025 |title=World Air Forces 2026 |url=https://www.flightglobal.com/download?ac=113841 |access-date=31 March 2026 |publisher=Flight Global |doi=}}</ref> | command_structure = 23x17px|border|alt=|link= Saudi Arabian Armed Forces | garrison = | garrison_label = | nickname = Saudi Falcons | patron = | motto = "الله أكبر" God is the greatest | colours = | colours_label = | march = | mascot = | anniversaries = | equipment = | equipment_label = | battles = * Arab Revolt * Hejaz–Nejd War * Al-Wadiah War * Iran–Iraq War * Gulf War * Syrian Civil War * Houthi–Saudi Arabian conflict * War against ISIS * Yemeni Civil War<ref>{{cite news | url=https://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20091105/ap_on_re_mi_ea/ml_yemen_saudi | title=Saudis launches offensive against Yemen rebels | agency=Associated Press | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091106150040/http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20091105/ap_on_re_mi_ea/ml_yemen_saudi | date=5 November 2009 | archive-date=6 November 2009 | access-date=26 March 2017 }}</ref> * 2025–2026 Southern Yemen campaign * 2026 Iran war<ref>{{Cite web |first1=Timour |last1=Azhari |first2=Parisa |last2=Hafezi |editor-first=William |editor-last=Maclean |title=Exclusive: Saudi Arabia launched covert attacks on Iran as regional war widened, sources say |date=12 May 2026 |access-date=12 May 2026 |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/saudi-arabia-launched-covert-attacks-iran-regional-war-widened-sources-2026-05-12/ }}</ref> | decorations = | battle_honours = | battle_honours_label = | flying_hours = | website = {{URL|rsaf.gov.sa|Official website}} | commander1 = {{Flagicon image|Royal Standard of Saudi Arabia.svg|size=25px}} King Salman | commander1_label = Commander-in-chief | commander2 = {{Flagicon image|Chief of General Staff flag of the Saudi Armed Forces.svg|size=25px}} Air Chief Marshal Fayyadh Al-Ruwaili | commander2_label = Chairman of the General Staff | commander3 = {{Flagicon image|Flag the Saudi Arabia Defense Minister.png|size=25px}} Khalid bin Salman | commander3_label = Minister of Defense | commander4 = {{Flagicon image|Flag of the Royal Saudi Air Force (Seal).svg|size=25px}} Lieutenant General Turki bin Bandar | commander4_label = Commander of the Royal Air Force | notable_commanders =  | identification_symbol = 145px | identification_symbol_label = Flag | identification_symbol_2 = 80px | identification_symbol_2_label = Roundel | identification_symbol_3 = 80px | identification_symbol_3_label = Low Visibility roundel | aircraft_attack = | aircraft_bomber = | aircraft_electronic = E-3 Sentry, Saab 2000 AEW&C | aircraft_fighter = Panavia Tornado, Eurofighter Typhoon, F-15C/D, F-15S/SA | aircraft_helicopter = Bell 412, AS532, UH-60 | aircraft_helicopter_attack = | aircraft_interceptor = | aircraft_patrol = | aircraft_recon = Panavia Tornado, King Air 350 | aircraft_trainer = Pilatus PC-21A, PAC MFI-395, Cirrus SR22, BAE Hawk | aircraft_transport = C-130H, C-130J, Airbus A330 MRTT | aircraft_tanker = | aircraft_general = }} The '''Royal Saudi Air Force (RSAF)'''{{efn|({{langx|ar|القوات الجوية الملكية السعودية|al-Qūwāt al-Jawwīyah al-Malakīyah al-Saʻūdīyah}})}} is the air force of Saudi Arabia and one of the principal branches of the Saudi Arabian Armed Forces. Its origins date to 1916, when the Hejaz Air Force was established during World War I. It operates alongside the Royal Saudi Air Defense Forces, a separate service responsible for air defense.

The Royal Saudi Air Force currently has wings, squadrons, and a special forces unit dedicated to combat search and rescue. It has developed from a largely defensive military force into one with an advanced offensive capability, beginning in the 1990s with the acquisition of laser-guided bombs and unguided bombs.

The backbone of the RSAF is the F-15 family, including the advanced F-15SA variant; it maintains the second largest fleet of F-15 Eagles after the U.S. Air Force. The RSAF also operates the Eurofighter Typhoon, acquired under the Al-Salam agreement with BAE Systems. Many earlier aircraft were delivered under the Al-Yamamah contracts with British Aerospace (now BAE Systems).

==History== [[File:"Our Eagles" The first Saudi pilots training in Italy (1935).jpg|left|thumb|"The Saudi pilots training in Italy 1935"—a scene from 'Our Eagles', one of four video wall shows made for the Royal Saudi Air Force Museum.]] The Royal Saudi Air Force was formed in the mid-1920s with British assistance from the remains of the Hejaz Air Force.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Reader|first1=Bullard|last2=Hodgkin|first2= E. C.|title=Two Kings in Arabia: Letters from Jeddah, 1923-5 and 1936-9|place=Reading|publisher=Ithaca Press|year=1993|page=101|isbn=978-0-86372-167-0}}</ref> It was initially equipped with Westland Wapiti IIA general purpose aircraft flown by pilots who had served Ali of Hejaz but had been pardoned by the King Abdulaziz.<ref>{{cite journal|last=al-Mutawiya|first=Khaled|title=مقاتلة سعودية من نوع ترنادو|website=Al Yaum|year=2015|url=https://www.alyaum.com/articles/998199/%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D9%85%D9%84%D9%83%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%8A%D9%88%D9%85/%D9%85%D9%82%D8%A7%D8%AA%D9%84%D8%A9-%D8%B3%D8%B9%D9%88%D8%AF%D9%8A%D8%A9-%D9%85%D9%86-%D9%86%D9%88%D8%B9-%D8%AA%D8%B1%D9%86%D8%A7%D8%AF%D9%88|access-date=11 September 2019|archive-date=14 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180114184458/http://www.alyaum.com/article/4058992|url-status=live}}</ref>

Following a contract with the British government, which was concluded in 1937, a military airstrip at Jeddah was established in 1939. The military airstrip was where the Air Force was stationed. In 1949, a group of aviation students were sent to study in England, after completing training at Al-Houba. By 1950, a second group of students were sent. The Air Force was re-organized in 1950 and began to receive American assistance from 1952 including the use of King Abdulaziz Air Base by the United States Air Force. In 1951, the group of aviation students returned to form the Royal Saudi Air Force. On November 5, 1952, the Air Force’s flag was raised at a military hangar in Jeddah Airport, which was attended by Prince Mishaal bin Abdulaziz, Minister of Defense and Aviation at the time. Shortly afterwards, Air Force schools begun opening around the kingdom. 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 Douglas A-26 Invader. In 1957, the Royal Saudi Air Force begun major developments, including the establishments of 5 Squadrons, all based at Jeddah Airport. The transportation squadron was equipped with Douglas C-54 Skymasters and Fokker S-13s. The No.2 Squadron was equipped with Douglas B-26 Invaders and the No.5 Squadron was equipped with 20 De Havilland Vampires.<ref name=:3>{{cite web|url=https://www.almrsal.com/post/229732|title=Year 1372 AH|website=Al-Marsal|access-date=2025-01-10}}</ref>

As part of the ''Magic Carpet'' arms deal between the United Kingdom and Saudi Arabia, four single-seat Hawker Hunter F.6s and two Hunter T.7s were ordered from Hawker in 1966. The aircraft were delivered to No. 6 Squadron at Khamis Mushayt Airbase in May 1966. Although the Hunters were operational, following attacks on Saudi Arabia by the Egyptian Air Force they were not a success as interceptors as they lacked any ground control but were used for ground attack. One single-seat aircraft was lost in 1967 and the remaining aircraft were presented to Jordan in 1968.

The Saudi forces are equipped with mainly western equipment. Main suppliers to the RSAF are companies based in the United Kingdom and the United States. Both the UK and the US are involved in training programs conducted in Saudi Arabia.

During the 1980s and 1990s, the armed forces of Saudi Arabia were relatively small by Middle Eastern standards. Its strength however was derived from advanced technology. 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. Pilot training is executed on the Pilatus PC-21 and BAE Systems Hawk. The C-130 Hercules is the mainstay of the transport fleet and is assisted by CN-235s and Beechcraft Super King Air light transports. Reconnaissance is performed by Tornadoes and F-15s equipped with the DJRP electro-optical reconnaissance pod. The Boeing E-3A is the Airborne Early Warning platform operated by No. 18 Squadron RSAF.

The VIP support fleet consists of a wide variety of civil registered aircraft such as the Airbus A330, Airbus A320 family, 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).

From 1989 to 1991 three Lockheed C-130 Hercules of the RSAF were destroyed in accidents.

The September 1991 issue of ''Air Forces Monthly'' lists Nos 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 (Tornado IDS), 8, 9, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 21, 22, 29 Squadron (Dhahran with Tornado ADVs); 34, 37, 42, and 66 Squadrons.<ref>"Defenders of the Faithful: Royal Saudi Air Force," Air Forces Monthly, September 1991, 23.</ref>

===Purchases and other activities in the 21st century=== thumb|SAF Roundel on the side of a Lightning Aircraft

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.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/afxnewslimited/feeds/afx/2005/12/22/afx2409446.html |title=Saudi Arabia orders Eurofighter Typhoons in up to 10 bln stg package - report - Forbes.com |website=Forbes |date=22 December 2005 |access-date=2015-07-18 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081010203029/http://www.forbes.com/afxnewslimited/feeds/afx/2005/12/22/afx2409446.html |archive-date=10 October 2008 }}</ref> The Eurofighter Typhoon was part of a multinational collaborative program having included a consortium of several companies from Spain, Germany and France, with the latter having left the program and later created the Rafale through Dassault Aviation. 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 17 September 2007 Saudi Arabia announced it had signed a £4.4bn deal with BAE Systems for 72 Typhoons.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/6998774.stm |title=Business | Saudis buy Eurofighters from UK |publisher=BBC News |date=17 September 2007 |access-date=2015-07-18 |archive-date=14 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230214212821/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/6998774.stm |url-status=live }}</ref>

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.<ref>{{cite web |last=Wolf |first=Jim |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-arms-saudiarabia-idUSTRE7BS0LJ20111229 |title=U.S. Saudi fighter jet sale to help offset Iran |publisher=Reuters |date=29 December 2011 |access-date=2015-07-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924161319/http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/12/29/us-usa-arms-saudiarabia-idUSTRE7BS0LJ20111229 |archive-date=24 September 2015 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }}</ref>

On 23 May 2012, the British defence firm BAE Systems agreed to sell 22 BAE Systems Hawk advanced jet trainer aircraft to the Royal Saudi Air Force for a total of £1.9 billion ($3 billion). The deal also included simulators, ground and training equipment and spares.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-18173779 |title=BAE Systems and Saudi Arabia sign £1.9bn Hawk jet deal – BBC News |work=BBC News |date=23 May 2012 |access-date=2015-07-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170312083804/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-18173779 |archive-date=12 March 2017 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }}</ref> In April 2013, BAE Systems delivered the first two new Typhoons of 24 to Saudi Arabia.

In 2013, the USAF tendered an offer for security services to protect the Saudi air force from cyberwarfare attacks.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://killerapps.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2013/03/18/the_saudi_air_force_wants_to_protect_its_newest_planes_from_cyber_attack |title=The Saudi air force wants to protect its newest planes from cyber attack |last=Reed |first=John |date=18 March 2013 |access-date=18 March 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130704200128/http://killerapps.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2013/03/18/the_saudi_air_force_wants_to_protect_its_newest_planes_from_cyber_attack |archive-date=4 July 2013 |df=dmy-all }}</ref>

In March 2021, RSAF started a joint military exercise, that will last until April 10, with the US and Pakistani Air Forces that will help in exchanging experiences and expertise.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-03-31|title=Saudi Air Force begins joint exercise with US and Pakistani forces|url=https://arab.news/549rw|access-date=2021-03-31|website=Arab News|language=en|archive-date=14 February 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230214212822/https://www.arabnews.com/node/1834846/saudi-arabia|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Structure== === Wings === As of 2025, the RSAF is divided into multiple wings that are dispersed across nine air bases: {| class="wikitable" ! style="text-align:center; background:#acc;"|Emblem ! style="text-align:center; background:#acc;"|Wing ! style="text-align:center; background:#acc;"|Location ! style="text-align:center; background:#acc;"|Squadrons ! style="text-align:center; background:#acc;"|Notes |- ! style="text-align:center; background:lavender;" colspan="5"|Active |- | | RSAF Wing 1 | King Faisal Air Academy | No. 8 Squadron RSAF No. 9 Squadron RSAF No. 22 Squadron RSAF No. 77 Squadron RSAF | <ref name=Orbats1>{{cite web |title=Royal Saudi Air Force |url=https://www.scramble.nl/planning/orbats/saudi-arabia/royal-saudi-air-force#OERY368 |website=Scramble |access-date=20 December 2025}}</ref> |- | | RSAF Wing 2 | King Fahd Air Base, Taif, Mecca Province | No. 3 Squadron RSAF No. 10 Squadron RSAF No. 80 Squadron RSAF | <ref name=Orbats1/> |- | | RSAF Wing 3 | King Abdulaziz Air Base, Dhahran, Eastern Province | No. 13 Squadron RSAF | <ref name=Orbats1/> |- | | RSAF Wing 4 | Prince Sultan Air Base, Al-Kharj, Riyadh Province | No. 23 Squadron RSAF No. 24 Squadron RSAF No. 32 Squadron RSAF | <ref name=Orbats1/> |- | | RSAF Wing 5 | King Khalid Air Base, Khamis Mushait, Asir Province | No. 6 Squadron RSAF No. 55 Squadron RSAF No. 66 Squadron RSAF No. 99 Squadron RSAF | <ref name=Orbats1/> |- | | RSAF Wing 6 | Prince Sultan Air Base, Al-Kharj, Riyadh Province | No. 18 Squadron RSAF No. 19 Squadron RSAF No. 71 Squadron RSAF | <ref name=Orbats1/> |- | | RSAF Wing 7 | King Faisal Air Base, Tabuk, Tabuk Province | No. 2 Squadron RSAF No. 25 Squadron RSAF No. 29 Squadron RSAF No. 88 Squadron RSAF | <ref name=Orbats1/> |- | | RSAF Wing 8 | King Abdullah Air Base, Jeddah, Mecca Province | No. 4 Squadron RSAF No. 16 Squadron RSAF No. 20 Squadron RSAF | <ref name=Orbats1/> |- | | RSAF Wing 9 | King Fahd Air Base, Taif, Mecca Province | No. 14 Squadron RSAF No. 33 Squadron RSAF No. 44 Squadron RSAF | <ref name=Orbats1/> |- | | RSAF Wing 10 | King Fahd Air Base, Taif, Mecca Province | No. 5 Squadron RSAF No. 34 Squadron RSAF No. 94 Squadron RSAF | <ref name=Orbats1/> |- | | RSAF Wing 11 | King Abdulaziz Air Base, Dhahran, Eastern Province | No. 7 Squadron RSAF No. 35 Squadron RSAF No. 75 Squadron RSAF No. 83 Squadron RSAF Fighter Weapons School | <ref name=Orbats1/> |- | | RSAF Wing 12 | King Khalid Air Base, Khamis Mushait, Asir Province | No. 100 Squadron RSAF No. 201 Squadron RSAF No. 202 Squadron RSAF No. 203 Squadron RSAF No. 204 Squadron RSAF | <ref name=Orbats1/> |- | | RSAF Wing 13 | | | |- | | RSAF Wing 14 | | | |- | | RSAF Wing 15 | King Saud Air Base, Hafar al-Batin, Eastern Province | No. 12 Squadron RSAF No. 17 Squadron RSAF No. 92 Squadron RSAF | <ref name=Orbats1/> |- | | RSAF Wing 16 | Al-Jouf Air Base, Sakaka, Al-Jouf Province | No. 15 Squadron RSAF | <ref name=Orbats1/> |}

=== Squadrons === thumb|Saudi F-15 flying over the training lanes {{columns-list|colwidth=25em| * 1 Squadron (Royal Flight) * 2 Squadron (F-15C/D) * 3 Squadron (Typhoon F.2/T.3)<ref name="AFMFEB16">{{cite book|title=AirForces Monthly|date=February 2016|publisher=Key Publishing Ltd|location=Stamford, Lincolnshire, England|pages=74}}</ref> * 4 Squadron (C-130H) * 5 Squadron (F-15C/D) * 6 Squadron (F-15S/SA) * 7 Squadron (Tornado IDS) * 8 Squadron (Cirrus SR22T/MFI-395) * 9 Squadron (PC-21) * 10 Squadron (Typhoon F.2/T.3)<ref name="AFMFEB16"/> * 12 Squadron (Bell 412EP) * 13 Squadron (F-15C/D) * 14 Squadron (Bell 212/412EP) * 15 Squadron (F-15SA) * 16 Squadron (C-130H/C-130H-30) * 17 Squadron (F-15SA) * 18 Squadron (E-3A) * 19 Squadron (Beech 350ER-ISR & RE-3A/B) * 20 Squadron (C-130H) * 21 Squadron (BAE Hawk 165) * 22 Squadron (PC-21) * 23 Squadron (KE-3A) * 24 Squadron (A330-203/243 MRTT)<ref name="AFMAPR16-9">{{cite book|title=AirForces Monthly|date=April 2016|publisher=Key Publishing Ltd|location=Stamford, Lincolnshire, England|pages=9}}</ref> * 25 Squadron (Bell 412) * 29 Squadron (F-15SA) * 32 Squadron (KC-130H/J) * 33 Squadron (Royal Medical Flight) * 34 Squadron (F-15C/D) * 35 Squadron (Jetstream) * 37 Squadron (BAE Hawk 65) * 41 Squadron (Beech 350i) * 44 Squadron (Bell 412) * 50 Squadron (Beech 350i) * 55 Squadron (F-15SA) * 60 Squadron (Saab 2000AEW&C) * 66 Squadron (AS532A2); previously (Tornado IDS) * 71 Squadron (Operational Conversion Unit) * 75 Squadron (Tornado IDS) * 77 Squadron (PC-21) * 79 Squadron (BAE Hawk 165) * 80 Squadron (Typhoon F.2)<ref name="AFMAUG15">{{cite book|title=AirForces Monthly|date=August 2015|publisher=Key Publishing Ltd|location=Stamford, Lincolnshire, England|pages=4}}</ref> * 83 Squadron (Tornado IDS) * 88 Squadron (BAE Hawk 65/A) * 92 Squadron (F-15S/SA)<ref name="AFMAPR16-9"/> * 99 Squadron (AS532M Cougar) * 100 Squadron (Falcon 1/Seeker 401) * 201 Squadron (Selex ES Falco) * 202 Squadron (Wing Loong 1) * 203 Squadron (CH-4B/Wing Loong 2) * 204 Squadron (Oqab) * 207 Squadron (Bayraktar AKINICI) }} Other Squadrons: {{columns-list|colwidth=25em| * 11 Squadron (OUT OF SERVICE) * 30 Squadron (OUT OF SERVICE) (Helicopters) * 42 Squadron (OUT OF SERVICE) (F-15C and F-15D) }}

==Equipment== [[File:RSAF Typhoon at Malta - Gordon Zammit.jpg|thumb|A Eurofighter Typhoon near Malta International]] [[File:RSF484 departing East Midlands Airport (altered).jpg|thumb|A Saudi Air Force C-130H departing East Midlands]] [[File:Saudi Hawks at airpower (cropped).jpg|thumb|A BAE Hawk from the Saudi Falcons display team]] thumb|A Boeing KE-3A of the Royal Saudi Air Force {| class="wikitable" ! style="text-align:center; background:#acc;"|Aircraft ! style="text-align: center; background:#acc;"|Origin ! style="text-align:l center; background:#acc;"|Type ! style="text-align:left; background:#acc;"|Variant ! style="text-align:center; background:#acc;"|In service ! style="text-align: center; background:#acc;"|Notes |- ! style="align: center; background: lavender;" colspan="7"| Combat aircraft |-

|- | Eurofighter Typhoon | {{flagicon|European Union}} Italy / UK / Germany / Spain | multirole |T2/T3A | 72<ref name="World Air Forces 2026">{{cite web |last=Hoyle |first=Craig |year=2025 |title=World Air Forces 2026 |url=https://www.flightglobal.com/download?ac=113841 |access-date=31 March 2026 |publisher=Flight Global |doi=}}</ref> | |- | Panavia Tornado | {{flagicon|European Union}} Italy / UK / Germany | multirole | IDS | 81<ref name="World Air Forces 2026"/> | |- | F-15 Eagle | {{flagicon|USA}} United States | air superiority / conversion trainer | F-15C/D | rowspan="3" | 232<ref name="World Air Forces 2026"/> | rowspan="3" |15 used for training<ref name="World Air Forces 2026"/> |- | F-15E Strike Eagle | {{flagicon|USA}} United States | strike fighter | F-15SR<ref>{{Cite web |title=First Saudi F-15SR conversion flies {{!}} Times Aerospace |url=https://www.timesaerospace.aero/features/defence/first-saudi-f-15sr-conversion-flies |access-date=2025-05-17 |website=www.timesaerospace.aero}}</ref> |- | F-15EX Eagle II | {{flagicon|USA}} United States | strike fighter | F-15SA |- ! style="align: center; background: lavender;" colspan="7" | AWACS |- | Boeing E-3 | {{flagicon|USA}} United States | AEW | E/RE-3A | 6<ref name="World Air Forces 2026"/>

| 1 used for SIGINT / ELINT missions |- | Saab 2000 | {{flagicon|Sweden}} Sweden | AEW&C | 2000 AEW&C | 2<ref name="World Air Forces 2026"/> | |- ! style="align: center; background: lavender;" colspan="7" | Aerial refueling |- | Boeing KC-707 | {{flagicon|USA}} United States | aerial refueling | KE-3A | 7<ref name="World Air Forces 2026"/> | |- | KC-130 Hercules | {{flagicon|USA}} United States | tanker / transport | KC-130H |7<ref name="World Air Forces 2026"/> | |- | Airbus A330 MRTT | {{flagicon|Spain}} Spain | tanker / transport |KC-30A |6<ref name="World Air Forces 2026"/> |4 on order<ref name="World Air Forces 2026"/> |- | KC-130 Super Hercules | {{flagicon|USA}} United States | aerial refueling | KC-130J |2<ref name="World Air Forces 2026"/> | |- ! style="align: center; background: lavender;" colspan="7" | Transport |- | Gulfstream IV | {{flagicon|USA}} United States | VIP transport | | 2<ref name="World Air Forces 2026"/> | |- | BAE Jetstream | {{flagicon|UK}} United Kingdom | VIP transport | 31 | 1<ref name="World Air Forces 2026"/> | |- | Cessna Citation II | {{flagicon|USA}} United States | VIP transport | Bravo | 4<ref name="World Air Forces 2026"/> | |- | Super King Air | {{flagicon|USA}} United States | transport | 350 | 17<ref name="World Air Forces 2026"/> | 8 used for reconnaissance, 4 on order<ref name="World Air Forces 2026"/> |- | C-130 Hercules | {{flagicon|USA}} United States |tactical airlifter |C-130H | 33<ref name="World Air Forces 2026"/> | |- ! style="align: center; background: lavender;" colspan="7" | Helicopters |- | Bell 212 | {{flagicon|USA}} United States |utility | | 22<ref name="World Air Forces 2026"/> | |- | Bell 412 | {{flagicon|USA}} United States |utility | | 14<ref name="World Air Forces 2026"/> | |- |Sikorsky UH-60 | {{flagicon|USA}} United States |utility ||UH-60L |2<ref name="World Air Forces 2026"/> | |- |Eurocopter AS332 | {{flagicon|France}} France |utility / SAR | |15<ref name="World Air Forces 2026"/> |2 on order<ref name="World Air Forces 2026"/> |- ! style="align: center; background: lavender;" colspan="7" | Trainer aircraft |- | BAE Hawk | {{flagicon|UK}} United Kingdom |advanced trainer | 65A/165 |81<ref name="World Air Forces 2026"/> | |- | Pilatus PC-21 | {{flagicon|Switzerland}} Switzerland | advanced trainer | | 55<ref name="World Air Forces 2026"/> | |- | Cirrus SR22 | {{flagicon|USA}} United States | light trainer | | 25<ref name="World Air Forces 2026"/> | |- |PAC MFI-17 Mushshak | {{flagicon|Pakistan}} Pakistan |primary trainer | |20<ref name="World Air Forces 2026"/> | |}

===Retired === [[File:Saudi Air Force Al Shahrani.JPEG|right|thumb|A Royal Saudi Air Force pilot adjusts his oxygen mask in an F-5E Tiger II prior to flying a training mission in 1983.]] Previous aircraft operated included the F-86F Sabre, DH.100 Vampire FB.52, BAC Strikemaster Mk 80A, Hunter F.60, DHC-1 Chipmunk Mk 10, C-54A Skymaster, C-123B Provider, T-6A Texan, T-33A Shooting Star, Cessna 310, O-1 Bird Dog, T-35A Buckaroo, T-34A Mentor, OH-58A Kiowa, T-28A Trojan, F-5E Tiger II, Lockheed JetStar, dH Comet 4C (VIP transport), BAe 146, Alouette III, Tornado ADV F.3, BAC Lightning F.53<ref name="World Air forces 1995">{{cite web |last = |first = |url= http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1994/1994%20-%202035.html|title = World Air forces 1995 pg. 57|work= |publisher= Flightglobal Insight |year= 1994 |doi = |accessdate= 12 June 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1987/1987%20-%202541.html |title=WAF 1987 pg. 91 |publisher= flightglobal.com |date=|accessdate=16 June 2021}}</ref>

===Drones=== Saudi Arabia is one of the largest countries that owns unmanned aerial vehicles, including attack, surveillance, and reconnaissance. In 2012, Saudi Arabia purchased 50 Italian Selex Galileo Falco drones. In 2014, Saudi Arabia signed a contract with China to purchase Wing Loong drones, and Saudi Arabia has more to receive so far.

In April 2013, Saudi Arabia announced its desire to buy 6 Turkish TAI Anka drones, however these efforts fell through.

Saudi Arabia has pursued projects to manufacture national drones, the first of which was in 2012, when Saudi Arabia announced a program to manufacture drones in the King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology. The project was called Saqr, and 3 new models of the drone have been introduced. Saudi Arabia also announced a new drone called Samoom, the Saudi crown prince showcased the new drone to the Egyptian President Abdul-Fattah As-Sisi during which he showed significant interest in it.

Saudi Arabia also announced in 2021 that it will start producing a high capability drone called SkyGuard. It also established a laboratory for robotic vehicle research at the Prince Sultan Advanced Technology Research Institute at King Saud University. The laboratory aims to build and transfer technology in the field of smart vehicles of all kinds, such as unmanned aircraft, autonomous land vehicles, and others. The laboratory has manufactured many unmanned aircraft, and the aircraft are still undergoing research and development.

Saudi Arabia has started technology transfer projects and joint ventures with countries to manufacture drones. The General organization for Military Industries obtained a license to manufacture the German drone project Luna, manufacturing hundreds of them for the Saudi armed forces. Saudi Arabia also entered a joint venture with South Africa to manufacture the Seeker 400 UCAV.

In 2023, Saudi Arabia and Baykar has signed a contract for AKINCI UCAV export. The amount was not declared but hinted that it is the biggest export at once. SSB President Görgün, who made a statement about the contract in question, said, “The largest Turkish defence industry export, made at once, is over three billion dollars.”<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-07-25 |title=Saudi Arabia Will Pay More than 3 Billion Dollars for AKINCI {{!}} TURDEF |url=https://turdef.com/article/saudi-arabia-will-pay-more-than-3-billion-dollars-for-akinci |access-date=2025-01-27 |website=turdef.com |language=en}}</ref>

== Commander == {{Main|Commander of Royal Air Force (Saudi Arabia)}}

[[File:Turki bin Bandar Al Saud, Lieutenant Geneneral and Royal Saudi Air Force Commander at the Pentagon, USA on November 12, 2024 (cropped).jpg|thumb|Lieutenant General Turki bin Bandar, Commander of the Royal Saudi Air Force since 26 February 2018.]]

==See also== * Royal Saudi Air Force Museum * Prince Sultan Advanced Technology Research Institute, a defense research and development center established by Royal Saudi Air Force and King Saud University. * Hejaz Air Force ==Notes== {{notelist}}

==References== {{Reflist|colwidth=30em}}

== External links == {{Commons category|Royal Saudi Air Force}} * {{official website|http://www.rsaf.gov.sa/Pages/Default.aspx }} * [https://web.archive.org/web/20051127043533/http://www.scramble.nl/sa.htm Order of Battle] at ''Scramble'' magazine * [http://www.strategypage.com/militaryforums/message.aspx?boardid=40&messageid=173&page=1#startofcomments "The Royal Saudi Air Force – A Paper Tiger, Minus the Tiger"]

{{Saudi Arabia Military}} {{Saudi Arabia topics}} {{Air forces}} {{Portal bar|Saudi Arabia|Aviation}} {{Authority control}}

Category:Royal Saudi Air Force Air force Category:20th century in Saudi Arabia Category:1920s establishments in Saudi Arabia Category:Military units and formations established in 1916 Category:1916 establishments in Asia Category:20th-century establishments in the Arabian Peninsula Category:Kingdom of Hejaz