The Saudi Arabian Army (), officially the Royal Saudi Land Forces (), is the principal land warfare branch of the Armed Forces of Saudi Arabia. It is part of the Saudi Ministry of Defense, which is one of the two military departments of the government of Saudi Arabia, together with the Ministry of National Guard. Its primary mandate is the defense of Saudi Arabia's territory and the safeguarding of national interests against external threats.Commander-in-Chief's Speech / Saudi Arabia Land Forces Portal Archived October 22, 2017, at the Wayback Machine.About the Land Forces of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Archived October 22, 2017, at the Wayback Machine.
Organized across eight regional commands, the RSLF's network extends throughout Saudi Arabia, encompassing various regional and independent commands, military institutes, colleges, specialized schools, and diverse administrative units. This extensive infrastructure enables the RSLF to maintain operational readiness and adapt to wartime conditions effectively.
The RSLF's capabilities have progressively developed, with improvements in organizational structure, leadership, and expansion of its primary weapon systems and personnel. The highest-ranking official within the RSLF is the Chairman of the General Staff, while overall command is held by the General Commander of the Saudi Land Forces, a Lieutenant General who oversees regional commands and specialized divisions.Organization of the Land Forces of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Archived October 22, 2017, at the Wayback Machine.Fighter from the Desert (Third Saudi State) Archived May 07, 2017, at the Wayback Machine. This commander also serves on the military council at the ministerial level, guiding the strategic direction of the RSLF. Officer training primarily takes place at the War College in Riyadh, which commissions the majority of RSLF officers.Chief of General Staff and Commander of Naval Forces to retire Appointment of Chief of Staff, Deputy Chief of Staff, Air Force Commander and Royal Navy Commander, Riyadh Newspaper. Archived October 22, 2017, at the Wayback Machine.His Highness General Fahd bin Turki receives the flag of the Saudi Land Forces from its predecessor commander, Okaz newspaper. Archived August 14, 2017 at the Wayback Machine.Military ranks of the Royal Saudi Land Forces Archived October 22, 2017, at the Wayback Machine.kf About Saudi Land Forces / Ministry of Defense Portal Archived November 07, 2017, at the Wayback Machine.Ministry of Defense and General Inspectorate. Origins and Development Chief of Staff Archived October 10, 2017, at the Wayback Machine.
History
Genesis of the army In the mid-18th century, shortly after its establishment, the Saudi state lacked a formalized, modern army as seen in contemporary military structures. Instead, defense and military actions were conducted through a “Jihad Army,” mobilized upon the directive of the ruling Imam through a process of general mobilization. Historian Ibn Bishr notes that during the rule of Imam Saud bin Abdulaziz, the mobilization of the Jihad Army was achieved by dispatching envoys across towns, villages, and tribal areas under Saudi control, calling upon local forces to assemble. This collective approach allowed the Saudi state to respond to threats and expand its influence, relying on a call-to-arms system rather than a standing army.F eatures of the system of government and administration in the first Saudi state Saudi Military System 1745-1818 Archived April 19, 2014, at the Wayback Machine.
During the era of the Imams, the Saudi military organization could mobilize an estimated force of approximately 100,000 fighters, drawn from various regions and equipped with essential arms and supplies. This number included contributions from nomadic Bedouin tribes, who were required to provide a contingent of roughly 30,000 to 40,000 soldiers. However, the Saudi state lacked formal military training institutions; instead, fighters relied on personal skills, including swordsmanship, thrusting, and horsemanship, forming the core of their capabilities.
Saudi forces were divided into infantry, cavalry, and camel-mounted troops. Combat operations relied on valor and numerical strength rather than structured training or systematic combat techniques. Despite the limited formal training, Saudi fighters excelled in desert warfare, demonstrating resilience in enduring its challenges. Weaponry was traditional and basic, comprising matchlock rifles, swords, daggers, arrows, and spears. Tactics involved surprise attacks, ambushes, sieges, and hit-and-run maneuvers, focusing on adaptability in battle.
Saudi soldiers did not receive fixed salaries; instead, their compensation came from war spoils distributed following a victorious campaign. The state claimed one-fifth of the spoils for the treasury, while the remaining four-fifths were sold and divided among soldiers, with cavalry members receiving double the shares of foot soldiers. Troops remained mobilized until directed to return to their homelands by the supreme commander. Additionally, permanent garrisons served as local security forces, rotating annually to maintain order. A dedicated personal guard protected the Imam, his successor, and other princes.Features of the System of Government and Administration in the Second Saudi State Saudi Military System 1823-1891 Archived September 13, 2014, at the Wayback Machine.
Modern army The Saudi Arabian Army, formally founded on 5 Shawwal 1319 AH (January 15, 1902), began with King Abdulaziz bin Abdulrahman Al Saud's campaign to reclaim Riyadh. This moment marked the establishment of a formal military structure as the founder prioritized the organization, leadership, and armament of the Saudi Land Forces.
Before the official declaration of the Kingdom, Saudi Arabia began developing administrative and military frameworks that would shape the foundation of its national defense. By late December 1925 (1344 AH), the administrative core of the Saudi Army was established with the creation of the Army General Staff in Taif. The primary units formed at this time included the Infantry Regiment, Artillery Regiment, and Machine Gun Regiment.
The Defense Agency and the Military Department were responsible for organizing the army's structures, standardizing military institutions, and assigning them roles in line with modern organizational standards. Taif was selected as the agency's headquarters due to its established military presence, conducive climate for training, and available military barracks. Emphasizing education and training, the military school in Taif became central to developing a skilled officer corps, setting the stage for the Saudi Army's future expansion and modernization.
Structure
Main Departments
Management Department
The Royal Saudi Land Forces Command, one of the oldest institutions within the Saudi Arabian Army, was initially known as the "Army Administration." In its formative years, prior to 1391 AH (1971), it comprised a command office along with various departments that handled essential functions such as personnel planning and budgeting, military records, military affairs, war police, army music, medical services, civilian personnel matters, and a military trials court and prison located in Riyadh.
In 1391 AH, the Army Management Authority underwent a reorganization, which resulted in a more streamlined structure consisting of a command office, a personnel planning department, a civilian personnel affairs department, a religious affairs department, a general medical services department, and a war police department. By 1396 AH, as the structure of the Land Forces became more formalized, the name of the authority was modified to reflect its evolving responsibilities. It was expanded to include a command office and specialized departments for personnel matters, military affairs, and personnel planning and classification, as well as a center for receiving and recruiting new recruits in Riyadh and a technical institute for the Land Forces. This authority remains responsible for overseeing personnel, staff affairs, military records, and related military matters.
Operations Department
The Royal Saudi Land Forces Operations Authority is tasked with the training, planning, and operational oversight of the land forces. Its initial formation, established in 1381 AH (1961), was known as the "War Operations Authority." This organization included three key departments: the Organization and Armament Department, the Military Training Department, and the Plans and Operations Department. In 1397 AH (1977), the name was changed to the "Land Forces Operations Authority." Subsequently, in 1411 AH (1991), the authority expanded to include an Operations Center and a Sports Affairs Department, the latter of which had previously operated as a section within the Land Forces Training Department.
Moreover, a Language School was established, which was later renamed the Military Language Institute. Initially, the War Operations Authority was affiliated with the Army Schools Command, but this command was eventually abolished. The Culture and Education Administration, responsible for educational institutions serving the children of military personnel, transitioned into an independent entity within the armed forces. Additionally, the authority incorporated a Physical Education School located in Taif, established in 1375 AH (1955), which was eventually dissolved, with its functions integrated into the Center and School for Paratroopers and Special Forces in 1398 AH (1978).
Supply Department The Royal Saudi Land Forces Supply and Logistics Authority, previously referred to as the "Army Supplies Authority," underwent restructuring with the reorganization of the Land Forces Command, leading to its current designation. The authority encompasses several departments, including the Department of Supply and Logistics Plans for the Land Forces and the Department of Military Supplies Inventory. These departments are responsible for coordinating supply chain operations, managing logistics, and maintaining an inventory of military supplies to support the operational readiness of the Royal Saudi Land Forces.Complete data on the Saudi Arabian Army, Saturday, March 1, 2008, Arab Army Forum Archived October 22, 2017, at the Wayback Machine.
Independent Departments The Land Forces Command has several associated departments, including:
Land Forces Inspectorate Department Land Forces Officers Affairs Department Land Forces Personnel Management Land Forces Planning, Budgeting and Monitoring Department Land Forces Internal Procurement Department Land Forces Religious Affairs Department Land Forces Medical Affairs Department Land Forces Finance and Budget Department Land Forces Training Department (newly independent from the Operations Department) Land Forces Computer Department (Information Technology Department)
Independent commanders
Geographical coverage NumberArea CommandAdministrative regionMilitary capital1المنطقة الشمالية الغربية العسكريةTabuk ProvinceTabuk2المنطقة الشمالية العسكريةEastern Province, Saudi ArabiaHafar al-Batin3المنطقة الشرقية العسكريةEastern Province, Saudi ArabiaDhahran4المنطقة الجنوبية العسكريةAsirKhamis Mushait5المنطقة الغربية العسكريةMecca ProvinceJeddah6منطقة الطائف العسكريةMecca ProvinceTaif7منطقة المدينة المنورة العسكريةMedina ProvinceAli's wells8منطقة الإمدادات والتموين العسكريةRiyadh ProvinceAl-Kharj
Military cities