Royal Saudi Air Force

The Royal Saudi Air Force is part of the armed forces under the Ministry of Defense in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, tasked with defending and securing Saudi airspace from potential threats.

The foundation of the Air Force dates back to 1929 when the Founding King Abdulaziz Bin Abdulrahman Al Saud purchased British-made aircraft and established the first airport on Darin Island in the Eastern Province.

On January 7, 1926, King Abdulaziz issued a decree to establish an air force, named the 'Hejazi Najdi Air Force'. He was determined to safeguard the Kingdom’s airspace. Therefore, he decided to acquire four British-made 'Westland Wapiti Mark II' biplanes, considered cutting-edge at the time, on December 30, 1929. The Kingdom’s first airport was built on Darin Island in the Eastern Province to accommodate these aircraft.

In 1930, the first aviation school was established but encountered technical challenges with maintenance and securing spare parts, resulting ultimately in its closure. During this time, the 'Arabian Aviation Association' was founded on December 25, 1930, in Makkah al-Mukarramah, promoting aviation education among the youth. On March 7, 1935, a delegation of ten students was missioned to Italy to study aviation, becoming the first Saudi pilots to obtain international aviation certificates.

In 1945, US President Franklin D. Roosevelt gifted King Abdulaziz a 'Dakota - Douglas DC-3' aircraft, which became the nucleus of civil aviation in the Kingdom. The founding King continued his efforts to advance military aviation so that in July 1945, he requested a proposal from the British government to develop and train flight crews. After initial training in Taif, ten Saudi graduates were sent on a scholarship to Britain to complete their education and graduated on January 23, 1953. Earlier on April 1, 1952, the Ministry of Defense was renamed to read as the Ministry of Defense, Aviation, and General Inspectorate encompassing both military and civil aviation sectors.

The first organized school for training pilots and aviation technicians was established in Jeddah City during the reign of King Saud Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. Sending students abroad in scholarships for aviation studies continued. The Air Force School was opened on January 5, 1954, and the 'Airport Operations School' at Dhahran Airport, established in 1948, was converted into a military school focusing on Air Force technical specialties, named the Technical Air Force School.

During this period, the first Air Force squadrons were formed, when the first diverse squadron and group consisted of 'Dakota' and 'Sky Master' transport aircraft, various training aircraft, 'B-26' bombers, and military transport aircraft. The Kingdom purchased twenty 'De Havilland Vampire' jet fighters during this time to form the fifth squadron, known as the fighter squadron.

After Prince Sultan Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud was appointed Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General in 1962, he developed plans and programs to enhance the armed forces. He relocated the Air Force headquarters to Riyadh City, and the Aviation Directorate in Jeddah was renamed the Royal Saudi Air Force, following the separation of civil aviation and the jet aircraft. The Kingdom signed an agreement with the British government for the 'Lightning' interceptor aircraft project. The project included purchasing additional aircraft such as 'Hunter', along with radars, surface-to-air missiles, training, maintenance, supplies, and the construction of key facilities. In 1965, 'C-130' tactical transport aircraft entered service to support land operations.

The study and training of Air Force personnel continued during the reign of King Khalid Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. A new headquarters for the Air Force was built in Riyadh City, and air bases were expanded. In 1977, the 'Peace Sun' project began to acquire the 'F-15' interceptor fighter aircraft, including contracts for maintenance, supply, training, and operation of some supporting facilities.

Royal Saudi Air Force's Typhoon military aircraft. (SPA)

In 1985, during the reign of King Fahd Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the 'Peace Shield' project began, which included the installation and provision of ground radar systems, communication networks, and operations centers across the Kingdom, interconnected within what was known as the Command, Control, and Communications System. The Kingdom acquired 'AWACS' early warning aircraft and air-to-air refueling aircraft. The 'Yamamah Project' contract was signed in 1985, providing the Air Force with squadrons of 'Tornado' attack and defense aircraft, 'Hawk T-65' advanced training aircraft, and 'Pilatus PC-9' aircraft.

The Royal Saudi Air Force continued the modernization and development process to enhance its defensive and offensive capabilities and update radar systems during the reign of King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. To this end, the Kingdom purchased the 'Typhoon' aircraft and introduced it into service in 2009. In 2012, the Kingdom acquired a set of upgraded 'F-15' aircraft and updated other helicopter fleets.

The Air Force continued to develop and modernize its aircrews and systems during the reign of King Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. This development included: 'Hawk 165' aircraft, air-to-air refueling systems, 'KC-130J' tactical transport aircraft, reconnaissance systems, 'King Air A350' aircraft, 'F-15SA' combat aircraft systems, and 'Wing Loong CH-4' unmanned aerial vehicles.

On October 6, 2015, a Royal Decree was issued to rename 'Riyadh Air Base' to 'King Salman Air Base in the Central Sector'. On March 9, 2016, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques inaugurated King Saud Air Base in the Eastern Sector in Hafr al-Batin Governorate.

The Royal Saudi Air Force system includes specialized educational and training facilities, including King Faisal Air Academy, which was established in 1968, following the development and renaming of the Air Force School; and the Air Force Technical Studies Institute in Dhahran City, specializing in training technicians on the maintenance of Air Force aircraft and the operation of its various support systems.

In 2019, the Kingdom established the Air Warfare Center at King Abdulaziz Air Base in Dhahran. The center provides advanced training for aircrews and their support personnel simulating modern warfare scenarios. It also conducts testing and evaluation of systems and weapons to ensure their effectiveness, impact, and readiness for deployment. In addition, joint Gulf operations take place in the center. In the event of actual operations, the center serves as the headquarters of the air combat operations command at the level of GCC countries.