[The World Through Weapons] Saudi Military, 3rd Largest Defense Budget Globally, Why Is It Called a Ragtag Force?

[Image source=Saudi Arabia Ministry of Defense website/www.mod.gov.sa]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] The country that spends the most on defense in the world is undoubtedly the United States. The second is also an economic powerhouse, China. So, who ranks third? Many people assume Russia, given its military strength, but Saudi Arabia actually spends the third most on defense worldwide. Yet, the image of the Saudi military seems far from that of a strong force.

According to a report released on the 14th of last month by the UK-based International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), among 171 countries worldwide last year, the United States spent the most on defense, with $685 billion (approximately 834 trillion KRW). Next was China ($181 billion). Saudi Arabia ranked third with $78.4 billion, nearly $17 billion more than Russia ($61.6 billion). Judging by defense spending alone, Saudi Arabia appears to boast formidable military power as the third highest spender globally.

However, the actual military ranking is not as high compared to the amount spent. In the Global Firepower (GFP) military strength ranking, Saudi Arabia placed 17th. This is far below South Korea, which is ranked 6th. Considering that Saudi Arabia rose 8 places compared to last year, it is clear that the cost-effectiveness of Saudi Arabia’s military power relative to its spending is not very good.

Saudi military armored vehicle attacked by Yemen Houthi rebels
[Image source=Yonhap News]

In fact, the international community’s image of the Saudi military can be summed up as a disorganized force. Despite pouring massive defense funds as the world’s third largest spender, Saudi Arabia has been unable to defeat the Houthi rebels in Yemen, who at best use small drones as ballistic missiles, and the war has dragged on for five years. To win this war, Saudi Arabia has been purchasing advanced weapons from the US and the West, with defense spending reaching nearly 10% of its Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Despite this, the situation remains unresolved. With international oil prices repeatedly plunging, Saudi Arabia is in a position where it must end the war quickly, but it is not easy.

Looking at the military specs alone, Saudi Arabia’s forces do not appear disorganized. The combined strength of the army, navy, and air force is about 300,000 personnel, with a powerful air force of over 1,800 aircraft including F-15s, Eurofighters, Panavia Tornados, aerial refueling tankers, and early warning control aircraft. It has over 4,200 armored vehicles, about 1,300 tanks, and among Middle Eastern countries with almost no navy, it possesses around 70 combat ships. Despite having such formidable weaponry, the Saudi military repeatedly suffers defeats against the Houthi rebels.

In September last year, the Yemeni Houthi rebels released a video claiming to have captured around 2,000 Saudi soldiers, causing international embarrassment. During battles, armored vehicles have reversed into friendly vehicles, and expensive Abrams tanks imported from the US have charged into enemy lines without proper reconnaissance, resulting in the loss of more than 10 tanks at once. Without proper operations or strategy, Saudi Arabia has been suffering heavy losses due to reckless mass offensives.

[Image source=Saudi Arabia Ministry of Defense website/www.mod.gov.sa]

In February 2018, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the current de facto ruler of Saudi Arabia, grew angry over the ongoing blunders and replaced all military commanders. According to CNN, on February 27, 2018, Crown Prince bin Salman issued an emergency royal decree to replace all military commanders deployed on the Yemeni front. Despite this, the Saudi forces have continued to be pushed back by the Houthi rebels and are now barely defending the Saudi border.

Of course, the Houthi rebels have extensive combat experience and many are former Yemeni regular army soldiers, making direct comparisons difficult. However, even considering this, the Saudi military is criticized for its poor combat capability relative to its defense spending. The main reasons cited are that the officers, mostly from aristocratic backgrounds, tend to be incompetent and irresponsible, and that Saudi Arabia, having experienced long periods of peace even within the Middle East, lacks the resilient spirit possessed by rebel forces hardened through harsh struggles. History shows that having good weapons alone does not guarantee victory in any era.