Royal Saudi Naval Forces (RSNF)

Royal Saudi Naval Forces (RSNF)

The Royal Saudi Naval Forces (RSNF) aviation branch is a specialized arm focused on maritime domain awareness, anti-submarine warfare (ASW), and tactical mobility for the Kingdom's Eastern and Western fleets.

ROYAL SAUDI NAVAL AVIATION • Al-Quwwāt al-Bahriyyah al-Malakiyyah as-Suʿūdiyyah
Navy Personnel: ε13,500. Status: Integrated aviation command supporting the Eastern Fleet (HQ Jubail) and Western Fleet (HQ Jeddah). Mission: Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW), Anti-Surface Warfare (ASuW), Search and Rescue (SAR), and medium-lift tactical transport.

Forces by Role & Equipment by Type

• HELICOPTER 56 active support-capable.

Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) with 1 active squadron:

• 10 Sikorsky S-70/MH-60R Seahawk.
  • (Note: These assets provide the primary ship-borne ASW capability for the fleet).

Multi-role & SAR (Helicopter) with 1 active squadron:

• 26 Airbus AS365/565 Panther.
  • (Note: 6 are specifically configured as AS365N Dauphin 2 for medevac and utility roles).

Medium Transport (Helicopter) with 1 active squadron:

• 20 Airbus H215M/AS332/532 Super Puma.

• AIR-LAUNCHED WEAPONS

• Anti-Ship Missiles (AShM): AM39 Exocet; AS-15TT.

• PRINCIPAL NAVAL AVIATION PLATFORMS (SHIPS)

Helicopter-Capable Surface Combatants:

• Frigates (FFGHM): 3 Al-Jubail class (Capacity: 1 med hel); 3 Al Riyadh class (Capacity: 1 AS365N hel); 4 Madina class (Capacity: 1 AS365N hel).
• Logistics & Support (AORH): 1 Boraida class (Capacity: 2 AS365F or 1 AS332C).

Note: By 2026, Royal Saudi Navy Aviation has significantly bolstered its organic strike and detection capabilities through the continued induction and testing of the MH-60R Seahawk fleet. The force remains closely tied to the Kingdom's broader Vision 2030 initiative, which emphasizes domestic maintenance support through Saudi Arabian Military Industries (SAMI), including the localization of helicopter engine repairs. The service maintains a high readiness posture to secure vital sea lines of communication in the Red Sea and the Persian Gulf, supported by advanced European and American rotary-wing platforms.