LONDON Ñ Saudi Arabia increased military spending to $27 billion in 2001 but is still incapable of defending itself, according to a new report by the London-based International Institute for Strategic Studies.
The annual report, released Thursday, took note of major spending in procurement, maintenance,
training and salaries for the armed forces, according to Middle East Newsline. But the kindgom faces a major problem in the human resources department.
Saudi weaknesses, the report said, include the conduct of large-scale military maneuvers and the failure to train above
the level of battalion. The report also cited what it termed the
"questionable" leadership of the Saudi ground forces command.
"Riyad still lacks the minimum personnel required to defend the
country," the report said. "Despite high defense expenditures and vast
programs to absorb modern Western military hardware into the kingdom's armed
forces, the Saudi military remains relatively weak against its opponents."
Saudi Arabia deploys the largest air force among Gulf Cooperation
Council. Its force is composed of advanced F-15E fighter-jets and Apache
helicopters as well as airborne early-warning systems.
The institute also warned of growing instability as a result of
political unrest and a declining oil-based economy. Saudi Arabia has failed
to win either local or foreign investments needed to provide enough jobs to
satisfy the demands of a young population.
"Although Crown Prince Abdullah is keen on accelerating the return of
major Western investors, hurdles ø including declining oil prices, attacks
on foreigners, perceived regime instability and lack of counter-terrorism
cooperation ø persist," the report said.
The report was released as Saudi Arabia completed what was termed a
major military exercise in the northwest. The exercise lasted three weeks
and ended with a live-fire maneuver that included Tornado fighter-jets,
AH-64A attack helicopters, and several warships.
Arab diplomatic sources said a key element in the exercise was the
transportation of 20,000 troops from the south and east of the kingdom to an
area about 150 kilometers south of the Jordanian border. The sources said
that in all eight brigades were deployed.