View source for Royal Saudi Navy

{{Short description|Navy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia}}
{{About|the Royal Saudi Navy|other Royal Navies|Royal Navy (disambiguation)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2017}}
{{Infobox military unit
| unit_name                     = Royal Saudi Naval Force
| native_name                   = {{lang|ar|البحرية السعودية}}
| image                         = Royal Saudi Navy Logo.svg
| caption                       = Emblem of the Royal Saudi Navy
| country                       = {{flag|Saudi Arabia}}
| type                          = [[Navy]]
| role                          = [[Naval warfare]]
| size                          = 13,500 approx. (inc. 3,000 [[Royal Saudi Marine Forces|marines]]) <ref>{{cite book |last=IISS |title=The Military Balance 2021|year=2021 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-1-032-01227-8 |page=364}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last=CIA |title=The CIA World Factbook 2021-2022|year=2021 |publisher=Skyhorse Publishing |isbn=978-1-5107-6381-4 |page=842}}</ref>
| command_structure             = <span class="flagicon">[[File:Saudi Armed Forces Flag.svg|23x17px|border|alt=|link=]]&nbsp;</span>[[Armed Forces of Saudi Arabia|Saudi Armed Forces]]
*[[General Staff Presidency|GSP]] (as of 1960)<ref name="gray2014">{{cite book|last1=Gray|first1=Matthew|title=Global Security Watch—Saudi Arabia|date=2014|publisher=ABC-CLIO|isbn=9780313387005|page=41|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=dxvFBAAAQBAJ&q=Royal+Saudi+Navy+founded+1960&pg=PA41|language=en|access-date=11 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181103213040/https://books.google.com/books?id=dxvFBAAAQBAJ&pg=PA41&dq=Royal+Saudi+Navy+founded+1960&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjBgcfQ4IvVAhUHqY8KHXQyDq0Q6AEILDAC#v=onepage&q=Royal%20Saudi%20Navy%20founded%201960&f=false|archive-date=3 November 2018|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref>
| garrison                      = [[Ministry of Defense (Saudi Arabia)|Ministry Of Defense]]<ref name="al-Hasa and Qatif in 1796">{{Cite web|title =Bahrain – McGill School of Computer Science|url =http://www.cs.mcgill.ca/~rwest/link-suggestion/wpcd_2008-09_augmented/wp/b/Bahrain.htm|access-date =21 September 2016|archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20161009151712/http://www.cs.mcgill.ca/~rwest/link-suggestion/wpcd_2008-09_augmented/wp/b/Bahrain.htm|archive-date =9 October 2016|url-status =live|df =dmy-all}}</ref>
| garrison_label                = Parent agency
| website                       = {{url|http://www.rsnf.gov.sa|rsnf.gov.sa}}
| current_commander             = [[Vice Admiral|V. Admiral]]  Mohammed Al-Gharibi<ref>https://www.spa.gov.sa/en/N2162669</ref> 
| notable_commanders            = [[Abu al-A'war]] <br>
[[Rahmah ibn Jabir al-Jalhami]]
| equipment                     = 7 [[frigate]]s (4 u/c)<br>9 [[corvette]]s <br>39 [[patrol vessel]]s<br>3 [[minehunter]]s<br>2 support ships<br>2 royal yachts
| battles                       = [[List of wars involving Saudi Arabia|List of wars involving RSNF]]
| decorations                   = <div style="text-align: center;">[[File:Naval Forces Medal - 1st Class (Saudi Arabia).png|border|145px]]<br>Naval Forces Medal - 1st Class[[File:Naval Forces Medal - 2nd Class (Saudi Arabia).png|border|145px]]<br>Naval Forces Medal - 2nd Class
[[File:Naval Forces Medal - 3rd Class (Saudi Arabia).png|border|145px]]<br>Naval Forces Medal - 3rd Class</div>
| start_date                    = 1789 (historical)<ref name="History of Arabia">{{cite book |author = George Snavely Rentz |title = The Beginnings of Unitarian Empire in Arabia | date = 1948 |publisher = University of California, Berkeley|pages = 213 }}</ref><br>1960 (official)<ref>{{cite web |title=Royal Saudi Naval Force |url=https://www.mod.gov.sa/en/Sectors/Navy/Pages/about.aspx |access-date=20 May 2020 |archive-date=28 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200628194905/https://www.mod.gov.sa/en/Sectors/Navy/Pages/about.aspx |url-status=dead }}</ref>
| colors                        = {{color box|#002F6C}} [[Blue]] {{color box|#255255255}} [[white]]
| identification_symbol         = [[File:Royal Saudi Navy Seal.svg|125px]]
| identification_symbol_label   = Seal
| identification_symbol_2       = [[File:Naval Ensign of Saudi Arabia.svg|125px]]
| identification_symbol_2_label = Ensign
| identification_symbol_3       = [[File:Naval Jack of Saudi Arabia.svg|125px]]
| identification_symbol_3_label = Jack
| identification_symbol_4       = [[File:Naval base flag of the Royal Saudi Navy.svg|125px]]
| identification_symbol_4_label = Flag
| identification_symbol_5       = [[File:Royal Saudi Navy commissioning pennant.svg|125px]]
| identification_symbol_5_label = [[Commissioning pennant|Pennant]]
<!-- Aircraft -->| aircraft_helicopter           = [[Eurocopter AS332 Super Puma|AS332 Super Puma]]
| aircraft_helicopter_utility   = [[Eurocopter AS365 Dauphin|AS565 SA Dauphin]] <br> [[Sikorsky MH-60R]]
}}

The '''Royal Saudi Naval Forces (RSNF)''','''<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Royal Saudi Naval Forces |url=https://www.my.gov.sa/wps/portal/snp/agencies/agencyDetails/AC044/!ut/p/z0/04_Sj9CPykssy0xPLMnMz0vMAfIjo8zivQIsTAwdDQz9LQwNzQwCnS0tXPwMvYwNDAz0g1Pz9L30o_ArAppiVOTr7JuuH1WQWJKhm5mXlq8f4ehsYGKiX5DtHg4AyZdfRA!!/ |website=Gov.Sa}}</ref>'''<ref group="note">{{langx|ar|القُوَّات البَحْريَّة الْمَلكيَّة السُّعُودِيَّة|Al-Quwwat al-Bahriyah al-Malakiyah as-Su'udiyah}}</ref> or '''Royal Saudi Navy,'''<ref group="note">{{langx|ar|البَحْريَّة الْمَلكيَّة السُّعُودِيَّة|Al-Quwwat al-Bahriyah al-Arabiyah as-Su'udiyah}}</ref> is the [[Navy|maritime arm]] of the [[Armed Forces of Saudi Arabia|Saudi Arabian Armed Forces]] and one of the five service branches of the [[Ministry of Defense (Saudi Arabia)|Ministry of Defense]] of [[Saudi Arabia]]. Its primary role is monitoring and defending [[Territorial waters|Saudi territorial waters]], ensuring regional [[freedom of navigation]], and protecting [[Sea lane|commercial sea routes]] through multinational naval coalitions.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Matamis |first=Joaquin |date=2023-10-26 |title=Saudi Navy Assumes New Leadership Role in US-led Maritime Coalitions • Stimson Center |url=https://www.stimson.org/2023/saudi-navy-assumes-new-leadership-role-in-us-led-maritime-coalitions/#:~:text=The%20commissioning%20of%20three%20Al%20Riyadh-class%20frigates,asymmetrical%20threats%20to%20offshore%20and%20coastal%20facilities. |access-date=2024-12-02 |website=Stimson Center |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":0" /> 

The Royal Saudi Navy is organized into two [[Naval fleet|fleets]]: The [[Eastern Fleet (Saudi Arabia)|Eastern Fleet]], which operates in the [[Persian Gulf]] from the [[King Abdulaziz Naval Base]] at [[Jubail]], and the [[Western Fleet (Saudi Arabia)|Western Fleet]], which operates in the [[Red Sea]] from the [[King Faisal Naval Base]] at [[Jeddah]]. Each fleet has full military capability, including warships, support ships, administrative and technical support, [[naval aviation]], [[Royal Saudi Marine Forces|marines]] and special security units.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://sdarabia.com/?p=43957|title=sdarabia|website=sdarabia.com|date=2017-08-03|access-date=24 December 2019|archive-date=3 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170803093025/http://sdarabia.com/?p=43957|url-status=live}}</ref>

Since the turn of the 21st century, the RSNF has undergone extensive efforts to expand and modernize its fleet, enhance its operational capabilities, and professionalize its personnel.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hedges |first=Matthew |date=2018-04-15 |title=Saudi Arabia’s modernization considerations for its West Coast fleet |url=https://gulfstateanalytics.com/saudi-arabias-modernization-considerations-for-its-west-coast-fleet/ |access-date=2024-12-02 |website=Gulf State Analytics |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Helou |first=Agnes |date=2022-09-09 |title=Saudi naval modernization pushes ahead, with eye always on Iran |url=https://breakingdefense.com/2022/09/saudi-naval-modernization-pushes-ahead-with-eye-always-on-iran/ |access-date=2024-12-02 |website=Breaking Defense |language=en-US}}</ref>   

==History==
The navy was founded in 1960<ref>{{cite book|last1=Zuhur|first1=Sherifa|title=Saudi Arabia|date=2011|publisher=ABC-CLIO|isbn=9781598845716|page=434|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5Ww68vqzQhoC&q=Royal+Saudi+Navy+founded&pg=PA434|language=en|access-date=11 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181103213040/https://books.google.com/books?id=5Ww68vqzQhoC&pg=PA434&dq=Royal+Saudi+Navy+founded&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwji_ICg34vVAhUKPo8KHS1rCsUQ6AEILDAC#v=onepage&q=Royal%20Saudi%20Navy%20founded&f=false|archive-date=3 November 2018|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref name="gray2014" /> and began a significant expansion with United States assistance in 1972, with the aim to match the [[Iranian Navy|Imperial Iranian Navy]]. Following the [[Iranian Revolution]] a further expansion programme, Sawari, was initiated with French assistance. Further vessels were purchased from Britain and France in the 1980s and 1990s. In 1980, U.S. defense contractor [[Science Applications International Corporation]] began work with the Royal Saudi Navy to design and integrate the country's own [[command, control, and communications]] (C3) centers.<ref>Dr. J. Robert Beyster with [[Peter Economy]], ''The SAIC Solution: How We Built an $8 Billion Employee-Owned Technology Company'', John Wiley & Sons (2007) p. 49</ref>

==Ships==
{{more references|section|date=May 2024}}
The navy is a modern force with foreign-built ships:
* French-built [[frigate]]s and support vessels
* U.S.-built [[corvette]]s and [[patrol boat]]s
* British-built {{Sclass|Sandown|minehunter}}s

===Frigates===

4 [[Freedom-class littoral combat ship|Multi-Mission Surface Combatant (MMSC)]] ordered by Royal Saudi Navy in 2019. The ship is derived from the Freedom-class littoral combat ship but with upgraded features. The deliveries of the MMSC will begin in June 2023.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.defensenews.com/naval/2019/12/20/lockheed-inks-2-billion-contract-for-saudi-frigate/|title= Lockheed Inks 2 Billion Contract For Saudi Frigate|date= 20 December 2019|access-date= 16 May 2021|archive-date= 14 February 2023|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20230214213150/https://www.defensenews.com/naval/2019/12/20/lockheed-inks-2-billion-contract-for-saudi-frigate/|url-status= live}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable"
! style="background:#002F6C" width="190"|{{color|white|Photo}}
! style="background:#002F6C" |{{color|white|Number}}
! style="background:#002F6C" width="190"|{{color|white|Ship}}
! style="background:#002F6C" width="190"|{{color|white|Builder}}
! style="background:#002F6C" width="190"|{{color|white|Completed}}
! style="background:#002F6C" width="190"|{{color|white|Status}}
|-
| rowspan="4" |[[File:USS-Freedom-130222-N-DR144-174-crop.jpg|200x200px]]
|
|
| rowspan="4" |[[Fincantieri Marinette Marine|Marinette Marine]]
|
|On order
|-
| 
|
|
| On order
|-
|
|
| 
|On order
|-
|
|
|
|On order
|}

3 [[La Fayette-class frigate#Al Riyadh class: Saudi Arabia|''Al Riyadh''-class]] frigates are modified versions of the {{Sclass|La Fayette|frigate}} (built by [[DCNS (company)|DCN, Lorient]]).<ref name="ntar2">{{cite web|url=http://www.naval-technology.com/projects/al_riyadh|title=Al Riyadh (F3000S Sawari II) Class, Saudi Arabia|website=www.naval-technology.com|access-date=30 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151008094103/http://www.naval-technology.com/projects/al_riyadh/|archive-date=8 October 2015|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> Each has a fully loaded displacement of 4,725 tons, and is armed with eight MBDA [[Exocet]] MM40 Block II surface-to-surface missiles (SSM), two eight-cell Sylver vertical launch systems for the Eurosam (MBDA and Thales) Aster 15 surface-to-air missile (SAM), an [[Oto Melara]] 76&nbsp;mm/62 Super Rapid gun, and four 533&nbsp;mm aft torpedo tubes. The ships are armed with the DCNS F17 heavyweight anti-submarine torpedo.  The helicopter deck at the stern has a single landing spot for a medium size helicopter, such as the [[Eurocopter]] [[Eurocopter AS365 Dauphin|AS 365 Dauphin]] or the larger [[Eurocopter AS532 Cougar|AS 532]] Cougar or [[NH90]] helicopters.<ref name="ntar2"/>
{| class="wikitable"
! style="background:#002F6C" width="190"|{{color|white|Photo}}
! style="background:#002F6C" |{{color|white|Number}}
! style="background:#002F6C" width="190"|{{color|white|Ship}}
! style="background:#002F6C" width="190"|{{color|white|Builder}}
! style="background:#002F6C" width="190"|{{color|white|Commissioned}}
! style="background:#002F6C" width="190"|{{color|white|Status}}
! style="background:#002F6C" width="190"|{{color|white|Namesake}}
|-Status
|-
| rowspan="3" |[[File:Frigate_Al_Makkah.jpg|190px]]
| 812
|{{ship|Saudi frigate|Al Riyadh||2}}
| rowspan="3" |DCN Lorient
|2002
|In active service
|[[Riyadh|Riyadh City]]
|-
|814
| {{ship|Saudi frigate|Makkah||2}}
|2003
|In active service
|[[Mecca|Makkah City]]
|-
|816
|''[[Saudi frigate Al Dammam|Dammam]]''
|2004
|In active service
|[[Dammam|Dammam City]]
|}

4 [[Al Madinah class frigate|''Al Madinah''-class frigates]] based in the [[Red Sea]], built in France ([[Arsenal de Marine, Lorient]] (French Government Dockyard and [[CNIM, La Seyne]]) in the mid-1980s. Their full load displacement is 2,610 tons and they are armed with eight Otomat surface-to-surface missiles, one 8-cell Crotale surface-to-air missile launcher (26 missiles total), one 100&nbsp;mm/44 dual-purpose gun, two 40&nbsp;mm anti-aircraft guns, four torpedo tubes, an aft helicopter deck and hangar; one Dauphin helicopter.
{| class="wikitable"
! style="background:#002F6C" width="190"|{{color|white|Photo}}
! style="background:#002F6C" |{{color|white|Number}}
! style="background:#002F6C" width="190"|{{color|white|Ship}}
! style="background:#002F6C" width="190"|{{color|white|Builder}}
! style="background:#002F6C" width="190"|{{color|white|Completed}}
! style="background:#002F6C" width="190"|{{color|white|Status}}
|-
| rowspan="4" |[[File:Royal Saudi Navy Al Madinah-class Frigate 2(1).jpg|200x200px]]
|702 
|''Al Madinah''
| Arsenal de Lorient
|4 January 1985
|In active service
|-
| 704
|''Hofouf''
| rowspan="3" |CNIM, La Seyne
| 31 October 1985
|In active service
|-
|706
|''Abha''
| 4 April 1986
|In active service
|-
|708
|''Taif''
|29 August 1986
|In active service
|}
It was believed the Saudis intended to order two new British-built [[Type 45 destroyer]]s,<ref>''[https://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/news/uk-seeks-1632bn-saudi-destroyer-contract-439505.html/ The Independent] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101126190846/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/news/uk-seeks-1632bn-saudi-destroyer-contract-439505.html |date=26 November 2010 }}'', "UK seeks £2bn Saudi destroyer contract" By Michael Harrison, 9 March 2007</ref> however production of the destroyers came to an end with no order made. Another destroyer that the Saudis are considering is the American built {{Sclass|Arleigh Burke|destroyer|1}}, having been briefed by the US Navy in May 2011 on the acquisition of two destroyers in a package that also includes an unknown number of [[Littoral Combat Ship]]s.<ref>[http://www.defensenews.com/story.php?i=6799195&c=SEA&s=MID/ Defense News]{{dead link|date=August 2021|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}, "Saudi Arabia Mulling BMD-Capable Destroyers" By Christopher P. Cavas , 13 June 2011</ref>

===Corvettes===

5 [[Avante 2000|Avante-class corvettes]] ordered by Royal Saudi Navy in 2018. The corvettes have been built by [[Spain|Spanish]] company [[Navantia]]. 
{| class="wikitable"
! style="background:#002F6C" width="190"|{{color|white|Photo}}
! style="background:#002F6C" |{{color|white|Number}}
! style="background:#002F6C" width="190"|{{color|white|Ship}}
! style="background:#002F6C" width="190"|{{color|white|Builder}}
! style="background:#002F6C" width="190"|{{color|white|Completed}}
! style="background:#002F6C" width="190"|{{color|white|Status}}
! style="background:#002F6C" width="190"|{{color|white|Namesake}}
|-
| rowspan="5" |[[File:PC-21 Guaiqueri 14 de Mayo 2011 Foto Capitán Ted.jpg|200x200px|alt=Venezuelan vessel, older and similar to the Saudi corvettes]]
|828
|''[[Saudi corvette Al Jubail|Al Jubail]]''<ref>{{cite web|date=20 July 2018|title=Saudi Arabia signs deal with Spanish firm for five warships|url=https://www.arabianbusiness.com/politics-economics/401147-saudi-arabia-signs-deal-with-spanish-firm-for-five-warships|accessdate=11 September 2018|publisher=Arabian Business|archive-date=22 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200722200154/https://www.arabianbusiness.com/politics-economics/401147-saudi-arabia-signs-deal-with-spanish-firm-for-five-warships|url-status=live}}</ref>
| rowspan="5" |Navantia
|2022
|In active service
|[[Jubail|Al Jubail City]]
|-
| 830
|''[[Saudi corvette Al Diriyah|Al Diriyah]]''<ref>{{Cite web|last=Writer|first=DP Staff|title=Navantia Launches Second Avante 2200 Corvette Al Diriyah For Royal Saudi Naval Forces|url=https://defpost.com/navantia-launches-second-avante-2200-corvette-al-diriyah-for-royal-saudi-naval-forces/|access-date=2020-11-29|website=DefPost|language=en-GB|archive-date=22 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210122084104/https://defpost.com/navantia-launches-second-avante-2200-corvette-al-diriyah-for-royal-saudi-naval-forces/|url-status=dead}}</ref>
| 2022
|In active service
|[[Diriyah|Al Diriyah City]]
|- 
|832
|''Hail''<ref>{{Cite web|url= https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2021/03/navantia-launched-3rd-avante-2200-corvette-for-royal-saudi-navy/|title= Navantia Launched 3rd Avante 2200 Corvette For Royal Saudi Navy|date= 29 March 2021|access-date= 16 May 2021|archive-date= 30 July 2021|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20210730195555/https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2021/03/navantia-launched-3rd-avante-2200-corvette-for-royal-saudi-navy/|url-status= live}}</ref>
| 2022
|In active service
|[[Ḥaʼil|Hail City]]
|-
|834
|''Jazan''<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.spa.gov.sa/viewfullstory.php?lang=en&newsid=2263552|title=RSNF Commander Patronizes Ceremonial Launching of His Majesty's Ship "Jazan"|access-date=25 July 2021|archive-date=14 February 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230214213158/https://www.spa.gov.sa/viewfullstory.php?lang=en&newsid=2263552|url-status=live}}</ref>
|2023
|In active service
|[[Jizan|Jazan City]]
|-
|836
|''Unaizah''
|2024
|In active service
|[[Unaizah|Unaizah City]]
|}

4 {{Sclass|Badr|corvette|1}}s built in the United States in 1981–83, based in the [[Persian Gulf]], full load displacement of 1,038 tons, armament of eight Harpoon SSM, one 76&nbsp;mm OTO Melara DP gun, one 20&nbsp;mm [[Phalanx CIWS]], two 20&nbsp;mm guns, one 81&nbsp;mm mortar, two 40&nbsp;mm grenade launchers, two triple 12.75&nbsp;inch torpedo tubes.
{| class="wikitable"
! style="background:#002F6C" width="190"|{{color|white|Photo}}
! style="background:#002F6C" |{{color|white|Number}}
! style="background:#002F6C" width="190"|{{color|white|Ship}}
! style="background:#002F6C" width="190"|{{color|white|Builder}}
! style="background:#002F6C" width="190"|{{color|white|Completed}}
! style="background:#002F6C" width="190"|{{color|white|Status}}
|-
| rowspan="4" |[[File:Saudi Arabian missile corvette Tabuk (618) underway during Operation Desert Shield.jpg|200x200px]]
|612
|''Badr''
| rowspan="4" |Tacoma Boatbuilding
|1981
|In active service
|-
| 614
|''Al Yarmook'' 
| 1982
|In active service
|-
|616
|''Hitteen''
| 1982
|In active service
|-
|618
|''Tabuk''
|1983
|In active service
|}

===Patrol boats===
24 Al Sadiq-class patrol boats built in the United States ([[Peterson Builders]], [[Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin]]) 1972–1980, full load displacement of 495 tons, armed with four Harpoon SSM, one 76&nbsp;mm OTO gun, one 20&nbsp;mm Phalanx CIWS, two 20&nbsp;mm guns, one 81&nbsp;mm mortar, two 40&nbsp;mm grenade launchers, two triple 12.75&nbsp;inch torpedo tubes.
{| class="wikitable"
! style="background:#002F6C" width="190"|{{color|white|Photo}}
! style="background:#002F6C" |{{color|white|Number}}
! style="background:#002F6C" width="190"|{{color|white|Ship}}
! style="background:#002F6C" width="190"|{{color|white|Builder}}
! style="background:#002F6C" width="190"|{{color|white|Completed}}
! style="background:#002F6C" width="190"|{{color|white|Status}}
|-
| rowspan="9" |[[File:As-Sadiq_class_missile_boat_Oqbah_(525)_of_the_Royal_Saudi_Navy.jpg|200px]]<hr>[[File:DN-SC-82-03990-C.jpg|200px]]
|511
|''As-Siddiq (الصّدّيق)''
| rowspan="9" |[[Peterson Builders]]
|1980
|In active service
|-
| 513
|''Al-Farouq (الفاروق)''
| 1981
|In active service
|- 
|515
|''Abdul-Aziz''
| 1981
|In active service
|-
|517
|''Faisal'' 
|1981
|In active service
|-
|519
|''Khalid''
|1982
|In active service
|-
|521
|''Amr''
|1982
|In active service
|-
|523
|''Tariq''
|1982
|In active service
|-
|525
|''Ouqbah'' 
|1982
|In active service
|-
|527
|''Abu Obaidah''
|1982
|In active service
|}

* Possible sale of 30 [[Mark V Special Operations Craft]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.defense-aerospace.com/article-view/release/146429/saudi-to-buy-30-patrol-boats-for-%241.2bn.html|title=Kingdom of Saudi Arabia – Mark V Patrol Boats|access-date=24 December 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141224164819/http://www.defense-aerospace.com/article-view/release/146429/saudi-to-buy-30-patrol-boats-for-%241.2bn.html|archive-date=24 December 2014|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref>{{Update inline|?=yes|date=January 2018}}

===Minesweepers===
3 {{Sclass|Sandown|minehunter|1}}s (built by [[Vosper Thornycroft]], [[Woolston, Southampton|Woolston]]), full load displacement of 480 tons:
{| class="wikitable"
! style="background:#002F6C" width="190"|{{color|white|Photo}}
! style="background:#002F6C" |{{color|white|Number}}
! style="background:#002F6C" width="190"|{{color|white|Ship}}
! style="background:#002F6C" width="190"|{{color|white|Builder}}
! style="background:#002F6C" width="190"|{{color|white|Completed}}
! style="background:#002F6C" width="190"|{{color|white|Status}}
|-
| rowspan="3" |[[File:424 Al Kharj.jpg|200px]]
|420
|''Al Jawf'' 
| rowspan="3" |[[Vosper Thornycroft]]
|1991
|In active service
|-
| 422
|''Shaqra'' 
| 1993
|In active service
|-
|424
|''Al Kharj''
| 1994
|In active service
|}

===Support vessels===
2 French built {{Sclass|Boraida|replenishment oiler}} (modified {{Sclass|Durance|tanker|0}} replenishment ships built by [[CN La Ciotat]], with a helicopter deck aft and hangars for 2 helicopters.
{| class="wikitable"
! style="background:#002F6C" width="190"|{{color|white|Photo}}
! style="background:#002F6C" |{{color|white|Number}}
! style="background:#002F6C" width="190"|{{color|white|Ship}}
! style="background:#002F6C" width="190"|{{color|white|Builder}}
! style="background:#002F6C" width="190"|{{color|white|Completed}}
! style="background:#002F6C" width="190"|{{color|white|Status}}
|-
| rowspan="2" |[[File:Saudi Arabian replenishment oiler Boraida (902) underway in the Red Sea, in 1991.jpg|200x200px]]
|902
|''Boraida''
| rowspan="2" |[[CN La Ciotat]]
|1984
|In active service
|-
| 904 
|''Yunbou''
| 1985
|In active service
|}

===Others===
Many smaller patrol craft, two Danish-built royal yachts
* ''Prince Abdul Aziz'' (1983–84) – built by Helsingør Værft
* ''Al Yamana'' (Built for Iraq 1981; entered service in Saudi Arabia in 1988)

==Naval aviation==
{|class="wikitable"
! style="text-align: left;"|Aircraft
! style="text-align: left;"|Origin
! style="text-align: left;"|Type
! style="text-align: left;"|Variant
! style="text-align: left;"|In service
! style="text-align: left;"|Notes
|-
| [[Sikorsky SH-60 Seahawk]]
| {{flag|USA}}
| ASW/ASuW Helicopter
| [[MH-60R]]
| 10
| Ordered May 2015 – armed with Hellfire missiles
|-
| [[Eurocopter AS332 Super Puma]]
| {{flag|FRA}}
| ASW helicopter
| B1, M1, F1S1, F1S2
| 20
| 
|-
| [[Eurocopter AS365 Dauphin|AS565 SA Dauphin]]
| {{flag|FRA}}
| SAR helicopter
|AS565 SA
| 24
|
|}

==Marines==
The Royal Saudi Navy maintains two, 10,000-man marine brigades consisting of three battalions each. The brigades are assigned to the Western Fleet headquartered in Jeddah and the Eastern Fleet headquartered in Jubail. The brigades are equipped with 500 [[Pegaso BMR]] AFVs and HMMWVs.

==Future==

Germany will supply 48 patrol boats to Saudi Arabia within the framework of its border security project, a cost of 1.5&nbsp;billion euros has been noted for this deal. [[Lürssen]] has already started building 15 patrol vessels for the project's first phase. The patrol boats to be procured under the current contract come in two forms. The first are the 'TNC 35' models, which are 35-meter-long and are propelled by two diesel engines with a combined output of 7,800 kilowatts. The boat can reach speeds of up to 40 knots. The second models, 'FPB 38' are 38-meter-long and can reach speeds of up to 31 knots. As of November 2016 1 TNC 35 has been delivered to Saudi Arabia.<ref>{{Cite news |author=Ghazanfar Ali Khan |title=KSA set to get 48 German patrol boats |work=Arab News |date=4 August 2016 |url=https://www.arabnews.com/node/964456/saudi-arabia |access-date=20 November 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161120151844/http://www.arabnews.com/node/964456/saudi-arabia |archive-date=20 November 2016 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }}</ref>

Saudi Arabia wants to buy five German submarines for around €2.5 billion ($3.4 billion) and more than two dozen more in the future.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.defensenews.com/article/20131103/DEFREG04/311030007/Report-Saudi-Arabia-Eyes-Buying-German-Submarines|archive-url=https://archive.today/20131104104434/http://www.defensenews.com/article/20131103/DEFREG04/311030007/Report-Saudi-Arabia-Eyes-Buying-German-Submarines|url-status=dead|archive-date=4 November 2013|title=Report: Saudi Arabia Eyes Buying German Submarines|work=Defense News|access-date=24 December 2014}}</ref>

In December 2014, the U.S. awarded [[Lockheed Martin]] a contract for a [[Foreign Military Sales|Foreign Military Sale]] of the [[Mk 41 Vertical Launching System]] to Saudi Arabia.  With no surface ships compatible with the Mk 41 and no plans to acquire a land-based missile defense system, this indicates the country is close to purchasing a VLS-equipped surface combatant. Saudi Arabia has evaluated the {{Sclass|Arleigh Burke|destroyer|1}} and the Multi-mission Combat Ship version of the {{Sclass|Freedom|littoral combat ship|1}} able to carry a VLS.<ref>[http://navyrecognition.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2274 FMS of MK 41 Vertical Launch Systems May Indicate Purchase of LCS or DDG by Saudi Arabia] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141222011104/http://navyrecognition.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2274 |date=22 December 2014 }} – Navyrecognition.com, 18 December 2014</ref> In October 2015, the US Congress was informed of a possible sale of Multi-Mission Surface Combatant (MMSC) Ships, a variant of the LCS.<ref>{{Cite press release |title=Kingdom of Saudi Arabia - Multi-Mission Surface Combatant (MMSC) Ships |date=20 October 2015 |publisher=Defense Security Cooperation Agency |url=http://www.dsca.mil/major-arms-sales/kingdom-saudi-arabia-multi-mission-surface-combatant-mmsc-ships |access-date=20 December 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222103914/http://www.dsca.mil/major-arms-sales/kingdom-saudi-arabia-multi-mission-surface-combatant-mmsc-ships |archive-date=22 December 2015 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }}</ref>

In July 2018 it was announced that [[Navantia]] had signed an agreement with the Royal Saudi Navy for the production of 5 [[Avante 2000]] Corvettes with the last to be delivered by 2022 at a cost of approximately 2 billion Euros.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.arabianbusiness.com/politics-economics/401147-saudi-arabia-signs-deal-with-spanish-firm-for-five-warships|title=Saudi Arabia signs deal with Spanish firm for five warships|publisher=Arabian Business|date=20 July 2018|access-date=11 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180911114423/https://www.arabianbusiness.com/politics-economics/401147-saudi-arabia-signs-deal-with-spanish-firm-for-five-warships|archive-date=11 September 2018|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

Saudi Arabia ordered three more Avante 2200 corvettes from Navantia in 2024.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.navantia.es/en/news/press-releases/saudi-arabian-ministry-of-defence-and-navantia-sign-a-new-contract-for-three-additional-avante-2200-corvettes/ |title=Saudi Arabian Ministry of Defence and Navantia sign a new contract for three additional Avante 2200 corvettes |publisher=Navantia |date=2024-12-11 |access-date=2025-05-30}}</ref>

== Bases ==
[[File:Saudi Navy Desert Sheild.JPEG|thumbnail|250px|right|King Abdul-Aziz Naval Base in [[Jubail]], home to the eastern fleet of the Royal Saudi Navy]]

* [[Jeddah]] (''Al-Qadima military port'')– Red Sea base home to the navy's Western fleet for frigates and 2 missile boats, 1 replenishing ship and 1 patrol minesweeper; located north of the [[King Faisal Naval Base]] air station and south of the container port area
* [[Jubail]] – Persian Gulf base is home to the navy's Eastern fleet; smaller base home to corvettes, replenishing ship remaining missile boats and minesweepers
* [[Dammam]] (''Ras Al-Ghar military port)''<ref>{{Cite book|last=Cordesman|first=Anthony H.|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Xf_EDwAAQBAJ&q=Ras+Al-Ghar+naval+base&pg=PA145|title=Saudi Arabia: Guarding The Desert Kingdom|date=2019-05-20|publisher=Routledge|isbn=978-0-429-96600-2|language=en|access-date=20 November 2020|archive-date=14 February 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230214213157/https://books.google.com/books?id=Xf_EDwAAQBAJ&q=Ras+Al-Ghar+naval+base&pg=PA145|url-status=live}}</ref> – Persian Gulf home port for the Saudi Royal family's two Royal Yachts

==Ranks==
{{main|Saudi Arabian military ranks}}
; Officer ranks
{| style="border:1px solid #8888aa; background-color:#f7f8ff; padding:5px; font-size:95%; margin: 0px 12px 12px 0px;"
{{Ranks and Insignia of Non NATO Armed Forces/OF/Blank}}
{{Ranks and Insignia of Non NATO Navies/OF/Saudi Arabia}}
|}

;Other ranks
The rank insignia of [[non-commissioned officer]]s and [[Enlisted rank|enlisted personnel]].
{| style="border:1px solid #8888aa; background-color:#f7f8ff; padding:5px; font-size:95%; margin: 0px 12px 12px 0px;"
{{Ranks and Insignia of Non NATO Armies/OR/Blank}}
{{Ranks and Insignia of Non NATO Navies/OR/Saudi Arabia}}
|}

==Incidents==
On 30 January 2017 ''Al-Madinah'' was attacked by [[Houthi]] rebels using a [[suicide attack|suicide boat]], killing 2 sailors and wounding 3 others.<ref>{{cite news|last=Gibbons-Neff|first=Thomas|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/checkpoint/wp/2017/02/06/video-emerges-of-suicide-boat-ramming-saudi-frigate/|title=Video emerges of suicide boat ramming Saudi frigate|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=6 February 2017|access-date=7 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170206213824/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/checkpoint/wp/2017/02/06/video-emerges-of-suicide-boat-ramming-saudi-frigate/|archive-date=6 February 2017|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> The attack took place near the port city of [[Al Hudaydah]], 150 kilometers southwest of the Yemeni capital [[Sana'a]].

==References==
{{reflist|25em}}

==See also==
* [[General Directorate of Border Guard|Coast guard]]

===Sources===
* ''Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships 1947–1995''

===Notes===
{{noteslist}}<references group="note" />{{Royal Saudi Navy navbar}}
{{Saudi Arabia Military}}
{{Saudi Arabia topics}}
{{Asia topic|Navy of|title=Navies of Asia}}
{{Portal bar|Saudi Arabia}}{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Royal Saudi Navy| ]]
[[Category:Armed Forces of Saudi Arabia|Navy]]
[[Category:Navies by country]]
[[Category:Military units and formations established in 1789]]
[[Category:18th-century establishments in the Arabian Peninsula]]
[[Category:1789 establishments in Asia]]
[[Category:Military history of the Indian Ocean]]