Royal Saudi Navy
The Royal Saudi Navy (Arabic: البَحْريَّة الْمَلكيَّة السُّعُودِيَّة, romanized: Al-Quwwat al-Bahriyah al-Arabiyah as-Su'udiyah) or Royal Saudi Naval Forces (Arabic: القُوَّات البَحْريَّة الْمَلكيَّة السُّعُودِيَّة, romanized: Al-Quwwat al-Bahriyah al-Malakiyah as-Su'udiyah), is the maritime arm of the Saudi Arabian Armed Forces and one of the five service branches of the Ministry of Defense of Saudi Arabia. Its primary role is monitoring and defending the Saudi territorial waters against military or economic intrusion, and participating in international naval alliances.
| Royal Saudi Naval Force | |
|---|---|
| البحرية السعودية | |
Emblem of the Royal Saudi Navy | |
| Founded | 1789 (historical) 1960 (official) |
| Country | Saudi Arabia |
| Type | Navy |
| Role | Naval warfare |
| Size | 13,500 approx. (inc. 3,000 marines) |
| Part of | Royal Armed Forces
|
| Parent agency | Ministry Of Defense |
| Colors | Blue white |
| Equipment | 7 frigates (4 u/c) 4 corvettes (5 u/c) 39 patrol vessels 3 minehunters 2 support ships 2 royal yachts |
| Engagements | List of wars involving RSNF |
| Decorations | Naval Forces Medal - 1st Class Naval Forces Medal - 2nd Class Naval Forces Medal - 3rd Class |
| Website | rsnf.gov.sa |
| Commanders | |
| Current commander | V. Admiral Fahd al-Ghofaily |
| Notable commanders | Abu al-A'war Rahmah ibn Jabir al-Jalhami |
| Insignia | |
| Seal | |
| Ensign | |
| Jack | |
| Flag | |
| Pennant | |
| Aircraft flown | |
| Helicopter | AS332 Super Puma |
| Utility helicopter | AS565 SA Dauphin Sikorsky MH-60R |
The Navy operates from multiple bases along the 2,500 kilometres (1,600 mi) Saudi coastline, with two fleets.
- The Eastern Fleet operates in the Persian Gulf from the King Abdulaziz Naval Base at Jubail.
- The Western Fleet operates in the Red Sea from the King Faisal Naval Base at Jeddah.
Each fleet has a full military capability including warships, support ships, administrative and technical support, naval aviation, marines and special security units.