Saudi Arabia Launches New Drone Program
King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST) has unveiled a new strategic drone program called "Saqr-1." The aircraft has already undergone several trials to ensure its readiness and performance
Dr. Shaul Shay
| 14/05/2017
King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST) has unveiled on May 11, 2017, in Riyadh, a new strategic drone program called "Saqr-1." KACST President Prince Turki bin Saud bin Mohammed stressed the highly advanced techniques used in this aircraft. He stated that "Saqr-1" is equipped with a KA-satellite communication system that gives superiority and privilege to this aircraft. It can fly for long-range with the ability to carry missiles and laser-guided bombs.
Prince Turki also pointed out that the strategic drone program is part of the city’s initiatives for the National Transformation Program, stemming from the Kingdom’s Vision 2030, which aims to maximize local technical content.
The aircraft has undergone several trials to ensure its readiness and performance. "Saqr-1" has successfully achieved a record by local and international standards for transfer and resettlement of unmanned aircraft.
During the latest visit to China by Saudi Arabia's King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud from March 15 to March 18, 2017, the two countries signed deals worth as much as $65 billion in energy, culture, education and technology and a partnership agreement to manufacture drones.
On March 16, 2016, a partnership agreement has been signed between the King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST), with China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC), which makes China’s CH-4 unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV).
The CH-4 (Rainbow 4) Drone
The CH-4 has reconnaissance and combat functions as well as similar capabilities to the US Air Force’s MQ-1 Predator. The CH-4 Drone fires AR-1 missiles that can hit a distant target with a margin of error of fewer than 1.5 meters.
A CH-4 Drone costs US$4 million, while the US Air Force website says a package including four MQ-1 Predators and a ground control station costs US$20 million.
The CH-4 Drone is already being used by Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan and several other countries.
The Wing Loong Drone
In 2014, China had exported the Wing Loong, a medium-altitude, long-endurance UAV, which can also be fitted with missiles to Saudi Arabia. The Kingdom was the first Arab country to obtain such type of drone, which was developed by Chengdu Aircraft Industry Group.
The CASC CH-4B and CAIG Wing Loong II have similar specifications, especially in terms of payload and endurance (Wing Loong II: 400 kg and 32 hours vs. CH-4B: 345 kg and 40 hours).
Both UAV platforms can deploy China’s range of air-to-surface munitions, such as the AR-1 laser-guided missile.
Summary
China is playing an increasingly bigger role in the international arms market; filling demands refused to be met by the USA. America refuses to sell its Predator and Reaper aerial vehicles (UAVs) beyond a select list of European nations, the UK being one of them. This has created a vacuum in the market, one that China is happy to fill. Barred from buying American drones, Saudi Arabia turned to China.
While military cooperation with the US remains very important, Saudi Arabia, the world’s second-largest arms importer actively diversifies its security cooperation, so as to maximize its flexibility in responding to threats.
In recent years, security ties between China and Saudi Arabiya have grown significantly. The two militaries held joint counter-terrorism exercises, and Chinese navy vessels have visited the Saudi port of Jeddah.
China's growing trade of drones with Saudi Arabia reflects the growing popularity of Chinese weapons, especially UAVs, on the global market, thanks to their comparatively low prices and technical advantages.
The real aims behind the deals are an oil-hungry China being able to get more oil from the kingdom to sustain its domestic economic development, and Saudi Arabia improving its infrastructure with China’s technological aid.
The factory will be China’s first in the Middle East, with drone plants already established in Pakistan, and will be overseen by a partnership between the King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology.
Saudi Arabia already uses combat drones in its conflict with Yemen. The CH-4 factory in Saudi Arabia would help satisfy Saudi Arabia’s desire for more CH-4 drones and would also sale drones and services for clients in the Middle East.
King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST) has unveiled a new strategic drone program called "Saqr-1." The aircraft has already undergone several trials to ensure its readiness and performance
King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST) has unveiled on May 11, 2017, in Riyadh, a new strategic drone program called "Saqr-1." KACST President Prince Turki bin Saud bin Mohammed stressed the highly advanced techniques used in this aircraft. He stated that "Saqr-1" is equipped with a KA-satellite communication system that gives superiority and privilege to this aircraft. It can fly for long-range with the ability to carry missiles and laser-guided bombs.
Prince Turki also pointed out that the strategic drone program is part of the city’s initiatives for the National Transformation Program, stemming from the Kingdom’s Vision 2030, which aims to maximize local technical content.
The aircraft has undergone several trials to ensure its readiness and performance. "Saqr-1" has successfully achieved a record by local and international standards for transfer and resettlement of unmanned aircraft.
During the latest visit to China by Saudi Arabia's King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud from March 15 to March 18, 2017, the two countries signed deals worth as much as $65 billion in energy, culture, education and technology and a partnership agreement to manufacture drones.
On March 16, 2016, a partnership agreement has been signed between the King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST), with China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC), which makes China’s CH-4 unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV).
The CH-4 (Rainbow 4) Drone
The CH-4 has reconnaissance and combat functions as well as similar capabilities to the US Air Force’s MQ-1 Predator. The CH-4 Drone fires AR-1 missiles that can hit a distant target with a margin of error of fewer than 1.5 meters.
A CH-4 Drone costs US$4 million, while the US Air Force website says a package including four MQ-1 Predators and a ground control station costs US$20 million.
The CH-4 Drone is already being used by Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan and several other countries.
The Wing Loong Drone
In 2014, China had exported the Wing Loong, a medium-altitude, long-endurance UAV, which can also be fitted with missiles to Saudi Arabia. The Kingdom was the first Arab country to obtain such type of drone, which was developed by Chengdu Aircraft Industry Group.
The CASC CH-4B and CAIG Wing Loong II have similar specifications, especially in terms of payload and endurance (Wing Loong II: 400 kg and 32 hours vs. CH-4B: 345 kg and 40 hours).
Both UAV platforms can deploy China’s range of air-to-surface munitions, such as the AR-1 laser-guided missile.
Summary
China is playing an increasingly bigger role in the international arms market; filling demands refused to be met by the USA. America refuses to sell its Predator and Reaper aerial vehicles (UAVs) beyond a select list of European nations, the UK being one of them. This has created a vacuum in the market, one that China is happy to fill. Barred from buying American drones, Saudi Arabia turned to China.
While military cooperation with the US remains very important, Saudi Arabia, the world’s second-largest arms importer actively diversifies its security cooperation, so as to maximize its flexibility in responding to threats.
In recent years, security ties between China and Saudi Arabiya have grown significantly. The two militaries held joint counter-terrorism exercises, and Chinese navy vessels have visited the Saudi port of Jeddah.
China's growing trade of drones with Saudi Arabia reflects the growing popularity of Chinese weapons, especially UAVs, on the global market, thanks to their comparatively low prices and technical advantages.
The real aims behind the deals are an oil-hungry China being able to get more oil from the kingdom to sustain its domestic economic development, and Saudi Arabia improving its infrastructure with China’s technological aid.
The factory will be China’s first in the Middle East, with drone plants already established in Pakistan, and will be overseen by a partnership between the King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology.
Saudi Arabia already uses combat drones in its conflict with Yemen. The CH-4 factory in Saudi Arabia would help satisfy Saudi Arabia’s desire for more CH-4 drones and would also sale drones and services for clients in the Middle East.
