The Royal Saudi Marine Forces, also called the Royal Saudi Marines (Arabic: مشاة البحرية السعودية), are the maritime land force component of the Royal Saudi Navy. As of 2024 there were 3,000 marines organized into two brigades, and they are equipped with Pegaso BMR armored personnel carriers.
History
The Royal Saudi Marines were established not very long before the Gulf War of 1990–91, and at the time they lacked equipment.[2] One battalion was located on the eastern coast of Saudi Arabia and took part in the war alongside the U.S. 1st Marine Division. The division's 3rd Marine Regiment also trained with the Royal Saudi Marine battalion.[3] It had a role in the Battle of Khafji.[4]
As of 1997, there were 1,500 Royal Saudi Marines,[5] organized into two battalions, and equipped with 140 BTR-60P amphibious armored personnel carriers. There were plans for the force to be increased to 2,400 marines.[5] As of the year 2000, according to some sources, the RSMF increased to 8,500 marines, and this reached 10,000 by 2008.[6]
During a border conflict between Saudi Arabia and the Houthi movement in Yemen in 2009, there was a report that marines may have been deployed to the border.[7] As of 2014, there were two marine battalions stationed at Ras al-Ghar.[8]
In 2024, the Royal Saudi Marines consisted of 3,000 personnel and were equipped with 135 Pegaso BMR armored personnel carriers.[1]
References
- ^ a b IISS 2024, p. 383.
- ^ Westermeyer 2014, pp. 52, 53, 103, 119.
- ^ Westermeyer 2014, pp. 52–53.
- ^ Westermeyer 2014, pp. 103, 119.
- ^ a b Cordesman 1997, p. 142.
- ^ Cordesman 2009, pp. 194–195.
- ^ Gonzalez, Steve (16 November 2009). "Saudi Arabia Order of Battle for the al Houthi Conflict". Critical Threats Project.
- ^ Westermeyer 2014, p. 52.
Sources
- Cordesman, Anthony (1997). Saudi Arabia: Guarding the Desert Kingdom. Westview Press. ISBN 0-8133-3241-9.
- Cordesman, Anthony (2009). Saudi Arabia: National Security in a Troubled Region. Center for Strategic and International Studies. ISBN 978-0-313-38076-1.
- IISS (2024). The Military Balance 2024. London: Taylor & Francis. ISBN 978-1-040-05115-3.
- Westermeyer, Paul W. (2014). U.S. Marines in the Gulf War, 1990–1991. Quantico: Marine Corps History Division. ISBN 978-0-16-092407-1.
External links
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