The kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s wise leadership undertakes a pivotal role in charting the country’s strategy under significant foreign variations and looming challenges affecting the kingdom’s national security. The soundness of this wise futuristic approach is distinctly evident in the kingdom’s local and international stature. It is also apparent in the leadership’s comprehensive polices and its ability to utilize the kingdom’s strategic location not only in the past but also in the present and future as well, mindful of the kingdom’s pivotal role and prominent place among countries of the world in general and Muslim nations in particular. Add to this the special importance given by the major economic powers to the kingdom as it ranks first among both the producers and exporters of oil, the world’s most strategic commodity. This vital international geostrategic role augments the kingdom’s civilized Islamic role, being the place where Islam’s international message has been revealed and the location of the Two Holy Mosques. Further a field, international interests interlace in the Arabian Gulf region, exceptionally important for international stability.
On the strength of the above, we can safely say that the wise leadership has utilized these changes to serve the homeland’s national security, making the kingdom one of the most influential counties at the Gulf, Arab, Islamic and international levels. Moreover, the kingdom is one of the 20 countries setting the agenda of the future for the world in its entirety.
The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and HRH the Crown Prince give utmost priority to preserving the national security, stable Arabian Gulf, civilized role and unprecedented economic prosperity during the reign of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, Kin Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz.
The Kingdom’s wise leadership is mindful of the fact that Saudi Arabia is facing numerous challenges resulting from the significant change which the world has undergone under both the world and regional orders. At the outset of a new century, the kingdom is determined to vehemently stand up to such fast technological and economic changes in an era where conducting international relations is the overriding force.
Therefore, the Saudi national security occupies central stage in the strategic, political and military planning for several considerations:
First: national security is the bedrock of the Saudi foreign policy, based on its understanding and protection of its national security.
Second: the Gulf and the Arab regions are locked in a struggle of destiny against greedy powers bent on controlling their resources.
Third: consequently, the Kingdom’s strategies with respect to various spheres are based on a Saudi security concept which the kingdom seeks to realize.
The battle against terror:
Our wise leadership’s starting point for determining the general framework of the Saudi national security has been the optimum utilization of the Kingdom’s influence and its geopolitical, economic, military, spiritual and political elements. Add to this its full awareness of the sources of danger targeting its values and integrity due to local or foreign elements. The starting point for achieving the security of the homeland has been the Kingdom’s success in the battle against terror. The world has acknowledged the ability of the kingdom and its leadership to deal with this grave phenomenon. Due to the Grace of Allah, the leadership’s successful management of the battle against terror and the efforts made by the brave security men, the homeland and its people are enjoying this security. It is noteworthy that the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques’ directives and decisions have been firm and decisive in the battle against terror.
Embodying the general stance of the kingdom against terror, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques said:”in the struggle between the forces of good and the forces of evil there is no place for indifferent and hesitant persons. The honorable believers have no alternative other than to unify their ranks against evil, mischievous people).
The Saudi strategy:
Well aware of the looming regional threats, the farsighted Saudi leadership adopted a certain strategy to realize national security hinging on economic and social development in tandem with a military power capable of protecting such development as well as the kingdom’s resources. It was imperative for bolstering the Saudi military power to adopt a strategic vision taking into consideration the international and regional developments. Such reinforcement of the armed forces could only be achieved by the continuous provision of highly advanced military equipment.
Meanwhile, the Saudi-U.S arms agreement sent for congressional approval should be viewed within the following context: the patient study of international and regional dimensions of the relationship between the development of weapons technology and pace of the arms race as well as the military strategies and their significance for the balance of military forces in the region against the backdrop of the threat posed to the kingdom by regional powers bent on bolstering their military arsenals. Also taken into consideration is the boundless attention given by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and HRH the Crown Prince to the Armed Forces, including the provision of highly advanced weapons and adequate training. The $60 billion deal includes new F15 fighter planes and improvements to several other fighters. This is in addition to a number of helicopters (Black Hawk, Apaches and Little Bird). The deal also includes flight simulators systems, spare parts and long-term support for the purchased planes and helicopters as well as (THAAD) anti-missile systems, the first to be designed for defense against short-range and medium range missiles. This system is augmented by the lower aimed Patriot systems, including the most modern PAC-3. Add to this a wide range of missiles, bombers, communications systems, nocturnal vision binoculars and warning radar systems.
About the deal:
The major observations include:
First: this unprecedented deal has long-term military and political implications. It also affects the strategic balance in the Gulf region and the Middle East.
Second: the deal shall enhance Saudi Arabia’s deterrence capability to defend its borders and oil infrastructure.
Third: from a strategic point of view, the deal shall achieve deterrence, as stability in the Gulf region could be achieved by an act of deterrence, while the fighter planes and missiles will contribute towards reining in Iran’s expanding power.
Fourth: Helicopters will be useful in dealing with outside insurgent forces.
Fifth: selling weapons to Saudi Arabia practically ensures at least a decade-long backing relationship with the U.S through maintenance and training.
Sixth: the deal bolsters the Saudi military industries and technical cadres which will be trained on the use of the modern technology of the arms industry and the maintenance thereof. This in turn is compatible with the wise Saudi leadership’s approach aimed at bolstering the Armed Force’ human capabilities, being the true wealth of the nation. They are capable of using and utilizing resources in all spheres, realizing the country’s comprehensive development. The community’s real wealth lies in the scientific and technological abilities of its citizens, while the exemplary investment is to invest in the minds of qualified human beings. Also, supremacy in this age is for highly educated and trained individuals who can overcome obstacles in the way of development. The deal clearly shows the leadership’s proclivity to supply the Armed Forces with modern weapons, upgrading their performance.
Thus, the kingdom now has an integrated system of advanced weapons to reinforce its fighting ability in line with the strategy worked out by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz and HRH the Crown Prince Sultan Bin Abdul Aziz, the Deputy Premier, Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General. It is aimed at building a military force capable of achieving the political, military and strategic objectives. It is only superfluous to say that the Saudi Armed Forces has proved, under all circumstances, that it is a plant firmly fixed by the Late King Abdul Aziz and nurtured and developed over the years by kind generous hands, the fruits being the towering Saudi Armed Forces, the staunch defender of the homeland, its achievements, stability, civilization and Islamic values.
Major General/ Zafir Bin Ali Al-Shehri