Rank #8 · Middle East
Saudi Arabia spent $83.2 billion on its military in 2025 per SIPRI — the world's eighth-largest defence budget at 6.5% of GDP. The 2025 royal budget allocated approximately SAR 270 billion to the military sector, ~21% of total government spending. Vision 2030's 50% localization target for defence procurement has reached 24.9% by end-2024 via SAMI and joint ventures, while the Yemen ceasefire holds and Iran rivalry dominates posture.
The Saudi 2025 budget allocated approximately SAR 270 billion (~$72 billion) to the military sector — 21% of total government expenditure and ~7.2% of GDP per official figures. SIPRI's higher $83.2B figure incorporates the Saudi Arabian National Guard and capital equipment off-budget items. The 2026 royal budget signed by King Salman in December 2025 maintained military spending around SAR 273 billion, prioritizing localization rather than headline growth. Major capital programmes include the F-15SA fleet upgrade, the THAAD batteries (in service since 2023), CAMM-ER air defence, the GCAP/Tempest fighter (Saudi accession negotiated through 2024-25 but not yet finalized), and Vision 2030 industrial JVs. Riyadh remains the world's top arms importer alongside India.
The Royal Saudi Armed Forces total ~257,000 active personnel: Land Forces (~75,000), Royal Saudi Air Force (~20,000) operating F-15SA/C, Eurofighter Typhoon, and Tornado IDS, Royal Saudi Naval Forces (~13,500), Royal Saudi Air Defense Force (~16,000) operating Patriot PAC-3, THAAD and the legacy HAWK system, and the Royal Saudi Strategic Missile Force operating Chinese DF-3 and DF-21 IRBMs. The Saudi Arabian National Guard (SANG, ~130,000) reports separately to the King via Prince Khaled bin Bandar and provides regime security. The General Intelligence Presidency and Royal Guard add several thousand more. Compulsory service is not in effect; recruitment relies on volunteers.
Saudi Arabian Military Industries (SAMI), wholly owned by the Public Investment Fund, anchors the localization push and targets a top-25 global defence company ranking by 2030. The General Authority for Military Industries (GAMI) reported military spending localization rose from 4% in 2018 to 24.89% by end-2024, on track for the 50% Vision 2030 target. Major joint ventures include SAMI-Lockheed Martin (THAAD components), SAMI-Navantia (Avante 2200 corvettes), SAMI-Boeing, and SAMI-Figeac Aero. The October 2024 announcement of a UK-Saudi defence industrial partnership tied GCAP/Tempest fighter accession to local production. Saudi Arabia is the world's second-largest arms importer (8.3% of global imports 2020-24), with the US accounting for ~74% of inflows.
Saudi Arabia's primary conflict exposure shifted dramatically through 2025-2026. The Yemen ceasefire that began in April 2022 has largely held; Houthi cross-border attacks dropped sharply after the Saudi-Iranian normalization brokered by China in March 2023. However, Houthi Red Sea operations continued through 2024-25 against international shipping, drawing US and UK strikes. During Operation Epic Fury (Feb 28 - April 8, 2026), Saudi airspace and basing supported US operations against Iran while Riyadh publicly avoided combatant status. Saudi-Iranian diplomatic relations remain restored; the 2023 normalization deal survived the brief war. Saudi forces remain deployed in the Saudi-led Coalition mission supporting the Yemeni internationally recognized government.
SIPRI ranked Saudi Arabia #8 globally at $83.2B for 2025. The 2026 budget signed December 2025 held defence spending roughly flat. Saudi Arabia's pursuit of GCAP fighter accession continued through 2025, with Italian and Japanese support but UK technical concerns; a final decision is expected in late 2026. The Saudi-Iranian normalization deal survived the brief US-Iran war (Operation Epic Fury) without breakdown. The US-Saudi defence cooperation agreement signed during President Trump's May 2025 Riyadh visit included a $142 billion arms deal — the largest ever — covering air defence, fighters, and naval systems. Saudi Arabia signed a civil-nuclear agreement with the US in April 2026 amid Iran tensions.
Saudi Arabia spent $83.2 billion on its military in 2025 per SIPRI — the world's eighth-largest defence budget at 6.5% of GDP and one of the highest defence burdens outside active warzones. The 2025 royal budget allocated SAR 270 billion to the military sector, ~21% of total government spending.
50% of military procurement to come from domestic sources by 2030. Localization rose from 4% in 2018 to 24.89% by end-2024 per GAMI. SAMI (Saudi Arabian Military Industries) anchors the programme alongside joint ventures with Lockheed Martin, Boeing, Navantia, and Figeac Aero.
No active interstate war as of 2026. The Yemen ceasefire begun April 2022 largely holds. The March 2023 Saudi-Iranian normalization (brokered by China) reduced regional tensions. During Operation Epic Fury (Feb-Apr 2026), Saudi airspace supported US operations against Iran without Riyadh entering combatant status.
The United States supplies ~74% of Saudi arms imports (2020-24 SIPRI data), followed by France, Spain, and the UK (Eurofighter Typhoon, Hawk). The May 2025 US-Saudi $142 billion arms deal — the largest in history — covers air defence, fighters, and naval systems.
About 257,000 active personnel across the Royal Saudi Armed Forces (Land, Air, Navy, Air Defense, Strategic Missile Force), plus ~130,000 in the Saudi Arabian National Guard (SANG) which reports separately to the King. Compulsory service is not in effect.