Royal Saudi Land Forces

The Royal Saudi Land Forces, one of the forces under the Ministry of Defense in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, safeguard the security and interests of the nation from external threats. They contribute to enhancing national security through integrated coordination with other elements of the national forces. They are the first systematic military force in the Kingdom and serve as the core of the military forces in the Kingdom.

The Royal Saudi Land Forces were established by the founder King Abdulaziz Bin Abdulrahman Al Saud. The first organization of the Royal Saudi Land Forces at that time consisted of an army of sixty men, equivalent today to an infantry section. The army then evolved, forming combat brigades consisting of the Urban army and the Bedouin army, which together represented the core of what was called at that time the Saudi Arabian Army.

In 1929, King Abdulaziz saw the necessity to keep pace with the organization and armament of modern armies. At that time, he ordered the formation of the first units of the regular Saudi army, which consisted of three sectors: infantry, artillery, and machine gun regiments.

In 1929, King Abdulaziz established the Department of Military Affairs, which was responsible for soldier affairs and overseeing the regular forces. In 1933, the Defense Agency was formed while the department continued its operations. This came as the number of regular forces and administrative and organizational burdens increased, leading to the formation of army units. These units were divided into the infantry, artillery, and cavalry branches. Additionally, the military school in Makkah al-Mukarramah was established through the Defense Agency in 1933 and was later relocated to Taif.

The Royal Saudi Land Forces defend the security and safety of the territories of the Kingdom, protecting it from any aggression. They maintain the Kingdom's freedom and stability, rooted in Islamic doctrine. They are responsible for preparing, training, and arming the land forces for military operations, except when assigned another task. Additionally, they work on identifying the needs of the land forces, developing plans for building up the forces, and enhancing facilities and installations related to the land forces.

Some vehicles of the Royal Saudi Land Forces. (SPA)

There are several main authorities within the Royal Saudi Land Forces, such as the Land Forces Operations Commission, which comprises: the Organization and Armament Management, War Training, Plans and Operations, the Military Language Institute, Operations Center, and Sports Affairs Administration, alongside other authorities, such as the Land Forces Administration Commission, the Land Forces Intelligence and Security Commission, and the Land Forces Logistics and Supply Commission.

The independent arms commands include: Infantry Corps, Armor Corps, Aviation Command, Artillery Corps, Corps of Engineers, and Signals Corps.

Associated with the command of the Royal Saudi Land Forces are: the Royal Guard Command, Military Area Commands, the King Abdulaziz Military Academy Command, the Military Police Command, and the Special Military Police Force for Security and Protection Command.

There are several departments associated with the command of the Royal Saudi Land Forces, including the Land Forces Officers Affairs Department, the Land Forces Internal Procurement Department, the Land Forces Religious Affairs Department, the Land Forces Personnel Affairs Department, the Land Forces Planning, Budgeting, and Monitoring Department, the Land Forces Inspection Department, the Land Forces General Department of Financial Affairs and Budget, and the Land Forces Affairs Department.

King Faisal Military City is located in Khamis Mushayt Governorate, affiliated with Aseer Province. It was established during the reign of King Faisal Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud in 1971 and was designed to be a fully serviced and facilitated military city to meet the needs of the Saudi Army and host their families. The city includes several residential areas, public facilities, and services, including hospitals, schools, shopping centers, entertainment venues, sports fields, and mosques.

King Abdulaziz Military City was established in the city of Tabuk, in the northwest of the Kingdom, and was inaugurated in the presence of King Faisal Bin Abdulaziz in 1973. The city encompasses all the facilities necessary to meet the living needs of the land forces and their families. Within the city, there are administrative and military educational units, schools, mosques, parks, and a hospital.

King Khalid Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud laid the foundation stone for King Khalid Military City in 1978, near the city of Hafr al-Batin, and the city was completed in 1984. This was followed by the opening of King Fahd Military City in the Eastern Province.

One of the graduation ceremonies of students from King Abdulaziz Military Academy. (SPA)

Several Saudi governmental colleges and educational facilities specializing in higher education and military training were established in the Kingdom. The Law of Military Academies was issued by a royal decree on June 29, 1977.

King Abdulaziz Military Academy in Riyadh City is the first military academy established in the Kingdom and specializes in war studies and military training for the Saudi Army. It falls under the Royal Saudi Land Forces. The origins of the academy trace back to a military school established by the Saudi Army in Makkah al-Mukarramah in 1935, which was later relocated to Taif City in 1939. On December 22, 1955, a royal order was issued to establish a military academy named King Abdulaziz Military Academy in Riyadh City. King Fahd Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud inaugurated the new facilities of King Abdulaziz Military Academy in al-Uyaynah, northwest of Riyadh, on May 15, 1984.

The Military Language Institute was founded in 1959 to teach the languages used by countries that produce modern weapons, contributing to the improvement of their use, management, and maintenance. The institute has evolved to include language and computer courses for members of the Land Forces and other armed forces, as well as sectors of the Ministry of Interior, such as Public Security, Border Guards, and General Investigation.

The Military High School in Qassim was transformed into a Royal Technical Institute for the Land Forces in 1985. Its purpose was to train technicians to maintain and operate modern equipment and machinery with high proficiency.

The Sports Affairs Administration focuses on improving the level of sports and athletes within the military sector. It organizes procedures for physical fitness tests for officers and individuals affiliated with the Land Forces, and the administration works on monitoring these results and submitting them to the relevant entities.

The Physical Education School was established to become a sports center specializing in training military personnel, where athletes from all sports disciplines graduate.

King Fahd Bin Abdulaziz was interested in equestrian clubs dedicated to training the Land Forces in the arts of horse riding, endurance competitions, show jumping, and horse care and training. Several equestrian clubs exist in the Kingdom, including those located in the northern and southern regions, as well as at the King Abdulaziz Military Academy.

Sports and recreational clubs were established in military cities, equipped with spaces for various sports activities such as horseback riding, swimming, and field games. They also host recreational and cultural activities.