Saudi Balance of Defence and Development

Saudi strategy adopts the principle of balancing defence and development. OFFSET programs with military arms exporting countries, with their 38 combined companies; have an overall investment exceeding 17 billion Saudi Riyals. With 35 billion SR in sales, and the creation of more than 6700 jobs, the most important of these programs is EuroFighter assembly plant in Riyad.

Budget expenses (2010) are estimated at 540 billion SR, 48% (70 billion Dollars) of which is allocated for investment in projects. Building 1200 new schools, and rehabilitation of 2000 other schools, and building 92 new hospitals and roads, are among the projects. The new budget observes balancing development over all the regions of the kingdom. The budgets of education and health sectors were increased. While oil prices went down more than 80%, Saudi economy witnessed a 0.15% growth rate.

In the defence side Saudi Arabia is defending its south-western borders while enforcing a well- studied development plan:

Air Force: Saudi Air Forces is capable of making the battlefield a glowing fire. Royal air forces have 88 Tornado IDS strikers, 70 F-15 S, and 12 Apache Longbow helicopters. A fleet of 72 EuroFighter jets will be acquired in the coming two years.

Land Forces: Saudi Armoured Forces rely on 366 Abrams M1A2 tanks plus 406 Baton M60A3, and 300 AMX30 tanks. The 400 Bradley and the 200 OTO and AMX-10, and 140 wheeled Piranha, vehicles comprise a backup force. Saudi land forces have hundreds of Armored Personnel Carriers.

Navy: Saudi Navy has two commands: Western (headquarters in Jeddah) Eastern (headquarters in Jeddah). The Central headquarters are in Riyad. Saudi Navy has a fleet of 6 frigates, 4 corvettes, 9 rocket launching boats, and 56 guard boats, in addition to 37 coast guard boats. Navy air force has 14 helicopters.

Dubai Air Show 2009

Dubai Air Show 2009 attained a success amidst the world economic crisis that affected the aircraft industry. The volume of the deals was less, quantitatively, than the previous 2007 show, but better qualitatively. The show (15-19 November 2009) was inaugurated by Sheikh Mohammad Ben Rashed Al Maktoum, Vice President of Emirates Ruler of Dubai, and Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of AbuDhabi. Nine hundred companies from 47 countries participated in the show, but value of deals didn’t exceed USD 14 billion.

Various airplanes (130 in number) were shown, such as Airbus A380, Military Transporter C-27, Raptor F-22, Rafale, Eurofighter Typhoon, F-15, F-16 and many others.

Some expectations: Defence spending in the Middle East will reach USD 100 Billion by the year 2014. Saudi Arabia defence spending will reach USD 36 Billion in five years. Number of aircrafts serving Middle East Area will increase 3 times.

Exhibitors’ News:

Thales: This company is an active partner with UAE for more than 30 years. Thales contributes to Dubai underground and Doha airport.

EuroFighter Typhoon: This fighter is registering great success, and it became the backbone of air forces in many European countries. Saudi Arabia is expected to receive 72 EuroFighters. Demand for EuroFighters will reach 300 planes within 20 years.

Russian Helicopters: More than 600 Mi 171 helicopters will be delivered to countries in the Middle East and North Africa. Dassault: Deals are underway to sell 100 Rafale 4th generation, multi-role war planes.

Northrop Grumman: Displayed the surveillance Hawkeye E-2D Advanced. Eurocopter: Displayed the advanced Tiger.

Lockheed Martin: displayed the latest version of AGM -114 Hellfire rocket. MBDA: Declared the completion of the advanced Eryx rocket.

Aermacchi: This Italian company will supply the Emirati air force with 48 trainer planes.

Rosoboronexport: Libya intends to acquire advanced Russian military equipment, suc asa MiG-35 and Sukhoi Su-35, and S-400 Triumf air defence system.

Raytheon: Is modernising its AMRAAM air to air Raytheon rockets.

BAE Systems: Disclosed its new fully automated Mantis UAV.

SAAB: Integrated Defense Aids Series

Self defence equipment is a must nowadays, not only for warplanes but for commercial planes too. Electronic self defence and stealth elements are two integrated elements. Western countries are required to speed the updating process of its fleets. Light automatic new small weapons can be used. Rocket systems accompanied by radar can be used, in addition to an advanced Command and Control network.

Self defence systems in airplanes should be able to detect electromagnetic submissions related to enemy weaponry systems. The system plays an essential role in updating the tactical situation data by providing real-time information about enemy air defences.

Radar Warning Receiver system and Electronic Counter Measurement, are the two principal elements in the self defence system. The system has the ability of confronting infrared directed rockets. A new Directed Infrared Counter Measurement has been developed using lasers as a source of light. Integrated Defence Aids Series is being developed by Avitronics in the Swedish Saab company. This series offer advanced multi-role surveillance self defence against radio directed threats. This system is completely integrated with the advanced Bop-L Saab system.

The system’s family of products can be used in SU-3MKM, Denel Rooivalk, Oryx, H90, Boeing CH-47 Chinook, Super Puma, Saab 2000, and multi role SU-30.

Italian air force received in August 2009 the first integrated series of the new product Boz- EC. The system offers warning against rocket and is capable of firing thermal burners. Boz-EC is fitted in Tornado.

Saab produces the famous BoL system. The system uses the wings’ edges to spread its contents of metal chips. Each BoL system contains 160 infrared (five times more than traditional systems). The system is used in US air force and National Guard planes, British Harriers, and Typhoon and Gripen jets.

Saab and RUAG Aerospace offered a new integrated self defence series in 2009 that can be used on helicopters. The system can be fitted within 15 minutes. It provides warning of approaching rockets .

BOW family is a high performance system effective in surveillance and detection, characterized with excellent performance. BOW is one of the strongest electronic support systems, and radar warning receivers.

Advanced Electronics Company:
Advanced Military and Civilian Products

Advanced Electronics Company proved that it is dependable after two decades of its establishment as an Offset company. The company designs, manufactures, and develops electronic systems. The company maintains and modifies these systems.

The Four Elements:

1. The company attracted the best human resources. They are holders of university degrees, or technical institutes’ diplomas.
2. Training through real projects is a major principle in the company.
3. Huge investments over two decades were used to build a strong industrial base, and in developing check-up systems and the electronic systems.
4. Government backing.

Civil communications is another field of the activity of the company. The company manufactures the sixth and seventh expanding stages of the Saudi Telephone, and the Digital Service Lines, and the base stations for the cellular telephone network. The company produces fleet follow-up systems, and the scanning the performance of industrial equipment, and modifying of computer software. Saudi employees consist 75 to 80% of the total employees.

Advanced Electronics Company succeeded in transferring foreign technology to the company through strategic partnerships and joint ventures. AEC is an independent company, and thus it does not represent other companies. The company built strategic partnerships with Boeing, Raytheon, and Thales (to produce flight simulators), and with EADS, and others. AEC participates with Ericson, Nokia Siemens, and Alcatel – Luscent in the field of communications and information, and in executing many projects.

The growth rate of the company sales in the year 2009 reached 20% (1.35 Billion SR), while the yearly growth rate was over 30%. AEC diversified its investments in the military, civilian, and industrial fields.

The Chief Executive Officer of AEC hopes that the Arab world will one day have a military industrial union, like the one in Europe. Arab governments should focus their efforts on research and development, and on helping the industrial sector to play a major role in developing industrial products in the future. If we compare the amounts of money European governments spend on research and development with that spent by Arab governments we will notice a wide gap, despite of the vast fortunes of the Arab world, not only in money but in minds as well.

Satellite Protection Systems

The first satellite, Sputnik 1, was launched by the Soviet Union in the year 1957.The Americans responded in the year 1958 when they launched Explorer 1.

After more than half a century satellites orbiting earth are now by thousands. Fifty countries launched these satellites, but launching bases are found in 10 countries only. Hundreds of these satellites are unused these days.

Non-military Satellites: The largest non-military satellite is the International Space Station. There are many kinds of non-military satellites:

1. Fixed Service Satellites: Manage hundreds of millions of sounds, data, and video transmission between all continents and fixed points on the Earth.
2. Movable Satellite Systems: Contributes to linking isolated areas, vehicles, ships, and airplanes with other areas in the world.
3. Scientific Research Satellite Systems: Commercial and non-commercial that transmit information of weather conditions to their owners. They scan earth surface giving complete data.
   Military Satellite:
   1- Killer Satellites that confront enemy warheads.
   2- Astronomical Satellites.
   3- Communications Satellites.
   4- Bio Satellites.
   5- Miniaturized Satellites.
   6- Navigational Satellites.
   7- Reconnaissance Satellites.
   8- Earth Observation Satellites.

Space Stations: designed accommodate astronauts for weeks or months, or even years in the outer space.
Weather Satellites: Monitor weather changes.

Satellites are prone to different kinds of threats and dangers. Other organizations can interfere in their work, or secret information can be retrieved. Ballistic missiles can bring down satellites orbiting at low altitudes (below 2000 Km). Surface broadcasting devices can cause disturbance in their data. Satellites are in danger of colliding with each other. The best protection to satellites is Satellite Command Link Protection. The system detects stages, and the power of signals that affect the work of the satellite. The system consists of an anti-intrusion device, power management, and Space-based Network. Lockheed Martin secured, lately, a special contract to develop Space Awareness programs. Space awareness job is to defend communications satellites of the United States against various threats. Lockheed Martin developed the advanced Over Watch system. International Mobile Satellite Organisation is an inter-governmental organization that provides general services such as naval security, and aircraft safety.

Counter Piracy & Ship Security Conference:
Facts and Solutions

Naval industry is worried because of piracy acts threatening various types of ships. British ships operations comprise the Red Sea, the Gulf, and Indian ocean areas. The mission includes defending oil installations, and confronting terror organizations. These issues were discussed in a counter piracy conference in Dubai. The conference was held between 5 and 8 December 2009. Commander Parsonage presented a statistical study concerning piracy actions which began in the year 2006 with 10 attempts. The attempts increased to 13 in the year 2007, increased to 108 in the year 2008, and increased again to 113 attempts of which 42 succeeded. Most of these attempts occurred in Somali coasts. Mr. Hadi Omar, said that the political disturbances and complications in Somalia are the cause of these actions. More than half of the piracy attempts are executed by poor Somali people.

The year 2009 witnessed many piracy attempts during which 79 pirates were arrested and 15 were killed. The pirates demanded a 3 million US Dollars ransom. The head of the Danish naval security of BIMCO company, Giles Noakes, outlined the best procedures taken by shipping industry. These procedures include long range sonar devices, anti piracy robot, fire fighting water hoses. He said that piracy is very close to terrorism. Head of American S.E.A.L, Grant Goldin discussed the subject of the alternative anti-piracy security solutions. He stressed the necessity of innovating advanced new solutions. He said that the best solutions are the use of police dogs.

Commander Stein Olav Hagalid, head of NATO ships center in London is working with the Royal Navy, and the naval forces of the European Union. NATO contributed 8 ships, and the EU another six ships, in addition to 8 other ships contributed by CMF. All these ships cooperate in detecting pirates and wrecking their attempts.

Dr. Eric Thompson discussed the subject of military-commercial cooperation. Dr. Eric asserted the need of commercial ship industry to acquire safeguarding procedures from professional military personnel. Scientific and technological advisor of OGMSA (national naval alert center), Mr. Guy Thomas, discussed international cooperation, and stressed the important role of satellites in facing piracy. Commodore Ranjit Rai, assistant manager of Indian Naval Corporation, discussed the subject of piracy and naval crimes. He considers that coastal installations and seaports are weak points and subject to threats.

Coast Guard commander in Bahrain, Admiral Alaa Abdullah Siadi, discussed piracy and ship security from the standpoint of coast guard. Gulf States are facing terrorism, piracy, smuggling, and illegal entry to their territories. Captain James Staples has 30 year experience in piloting ships in Indian Ocean and the Gulf, Aden Gulf, and South China sea. He stressed the necessity of training and acquiring necessary equipment.

Force Protection:
Principles and Technologies

Definition: Force Protection is defined as actions taken to prevent or mitigate hostile actions against personnel, resources, facilities and critical information. It does not include actions to defeat the enemy or protect against accidents. Force protection is a deliberate and dynamic procedure that begins long before the actual conflict. Passive force protection measures the effects of hostile acts against military personnel and resources by making them more survivable. Active force protection consists of purposeful actions taken to mitigate, defeat, or destroy threats against military interests.

Basics: Force protection is accomplished through the planned and integrated application of other programmes such as antiterrorism and counter-terrorism. These include the definition of roles and responsibilities, threat assessment, vulnerability assessment, identification, and implementation of force protection measures. Comprehensive planning is essential to force protection. It includes site selection, area development planning, vehicular access, and utility systems.

Countermeasures are those devices and techniques that are designed to impair the effectiveness of the enemy. All personnel should be trained in basic force protection skills needed to survive and operate. These include basic small arms skills, and basic ground combat skills.

Field Fortifications: Used in offensive operations when making periodic halts to regroup, resupply, or consolidate a position gained. Fortifications provide a base for protection of vital areas. They allow effective employment of weapons, and should be strong and simple. Defensive fortifications should allow for continuous development to improve usefulness.

Barrier Equipment: Physical security barriers protect ground forces and military fighting assets such as planes and tanks. Barriers were originally designed with military uses, and include blast mitigation, force protection barriers, protective delay barriers, and perimeter security barriers.

General requirements include: cost and space efficiency, ease of of installation and shipping, rapid deployment capability, and need to have anti-climb features. Physical barriers between military forces and the population they are supposed to protect may have a negative effect on counter-insurgency operations. Commanders should consider unconventional force protection measures which provide protection to their center of gravity.

Ongoing US Programmes: Product Manager Force Protection Systems is a programme acquired by the US Army to provide force protection capability during the current “Long War”. These programmes include Base Expeditionary Targeting and Surveillance System- Combined BETSS-C, US Central Command (CENTCOM) Joint Urgent Operational Need. The Project Manager, Night Vision/Reconnaissance, Surveillance, and Target Acquisition (PM-NV/RSTA) are among these programmes. The equipment procured and fielded by PM-FPS includes programmes such as NII systems, BAIS and is designed to meet force protection challenges today and in the future. Production and fielding efforts of Mobile Detection Assessment Response System are well underway by its production contractor, General Dynamics Robotics Systems.