Royal Saudi Land Forces Aviation

Royal Saudi Land Forces Aviation

The Royal Saudi Land Forces (RSLF) maintain a robust organic aviation command focused on tactical mobility and battlefield support. Under the Vision 2030 initiative, the force is transitioning toward greater self-sufficiency in maintenance and logistics.

ROYAL SAUDI LAND FORCES (AVIATION) • طيران القوات البرية الملكية السعودية Army Aviation ε75,000 total Army personnel. Organization: One aviation command consisting of three helicopter groups. Mission: Tactical mobility, battlefield reconnaissance, air manoeuvre, and close air support for ground formations.

Forces by Role & Equipment by Type
Army Aviation Command

• HELICOPTER 84 active support-capable airframes.

Attack Helicopters:

• 22 Boeing AH-64A/D/E Apache (25 additional on order).
• (Note: The Military Balance 2024 lists 35 active Apache airframes, indicating variations in reporting or phased retirements of older "A" models).

Reconnaissance & Scout Helicopters:

• 15 Bell OH-58 Kiowa.
• 15 Bell 406CS Combat Scout.

Transport & Multi-Role Helicopters:

• 45 Sikorsky S-70 / S-70i / UH-60L/M Black Hawk (7 + 48 additional on order).
• 2 Boeing CH-47F Chinook (6 + 40 additional on order).
• 19 Schweizer 333 (Light utility).
• 6 Airbus AS365N Dauphin 2 (Configured for medevac).

• AIR DEFENCE

• Surface-to-Air Missiles (SAM): Crotale (Short-range); FIM-92 Stinger (Point-defence).

Note: By 2026, Saudi Army Aviation is in a phase of significant expansion, particularly in its heavy-lift and tactical mobility wings. The Kingdom has placed massive orders for up to 46 CH-47F Chinooks and over 50 additional Black Hawks to enhance its air-manoeuvre capabilities. These assets are increasingly supported by a growing domestic defense-industrial base. Specifically, Saudi Arabian Military Industries (SAMI) has entered into agreements with foreign partners like Safran for the local maintenance and repair of Makila 1 and Arriel 2 helicopter engines, as well as the repair of advanced targeting pods. This localization effort is part of the broader strategy to spend 50% of defense outlays locally by 2030. Operational focus remains on refining air-ground coordination and logistics support, drawing on combat experience gained from regional operations over the past decade.