The Future of the UK-Saudi Military Cooperation
As the British government faces growing criticism over its continuing arms exports to Riyadh, Col. (res.) Dr. Shaul Shay examines the strong bilateral relationship between the two countries
Dr. Shaul Shay
| 11/04/2019
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in talks with Prime Minister Theresa May, March 2018 (Photo: AP)
Saudi Arabia on March 31, 2019, launched its first locally assembled Hawk jet training aircraft, some parts of which were manufactured by local companies.
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman unveiled the plane during a ceremony at King Abdulaziz Air Base in the Eastern Province. The crown prince was briefed on the stages of assembling and manufacturing the main parts of the aircraft. During the launching event, the plane took off for its test flight after the Crown Prince gave the "go" signal.
More than 70 percent of the project's workforce is Saudi Arabian. The Saudis are assembling 22 Hawk aircraft s after more than two years of training at the hands of international expertise. The Saudi-British Defense Cooperation Program, in collaboration with BAE Systems, oversaw the training of Saudis with the participation of more than 25 national companies.
Crown Prince bin Salman, who is also the minister of defense, met with his British counterpart Michael Fallon on September 19, 2017, in Jeddah, where the two signed a military and security cooperation deal. During the meeting, they reviewed the bilateral relations between the two countries, especially the mechanisms of joint coordination in the field of defense, as well as discuss developments in the region and efforts exerted to combat them.
Mr. Fallon said the agreement would help Saudi Arabia better protect its national security, including through counterterrorism, intelligence, and training. “This agreement further cements the UK’s long-standing relationship with our key Gulf partner,” he said.
The British Arms Sales to Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia is a major buyer of British arms and a partner in attempts to defeat ISIS. Almost two-thirds of UK arms exports go to the Middle East, according to the Department for International Trade, and across the region, Saudi Arabia buys the greatest number of weapons from the UK.
Saudi Arabia has been identified as a “priority market” for defense exports with the UK Trade and Investment’s Defense and Security Organization (UKTI DSO), and in 2015, over 30 percent of all UK defense exports were licensed to Saudi Arabia.
From April to December 2015, these licenses included exports exceeding the value of £1.7 billion for combat aircraft and over £1 billion for air-delivered bombs.
British arms companies have earned more than £6bn from their trade with Saudi Arabia during the ongoing war in Yemen.
Britain made a total of £5.6 billion in arms sales to Saudi Arabia between May 2010 and early 2016. This consists of bulk sales of tear gas, bombs and guns, £1.6 billion for Hawk jets, and 72 Typhoon fighter aircraft (a deal worth £4.5 billion when completed), according to the Independent newspaper.
In traveling to Saudi Arabia, the British Prime Minister Theresa May sent a strong message of endorsement to the Saudi regime, one that Whitehall hope will be rewarded by arms sales. In December 2016, May said that Britain would invest more than £3 billion in defense in the Gulf region as the country prepared to leave the European Union.
The Debate over Arms Sales to Saudi Arabia
Since March 2015, Saudi Arabia formed a ten-member coalition to intervene in Yemen to support the government in its war against Iran-backed Houthi rebels. The Gulf States said Iran is trying to expand its influence in Arab countries, including Yemen.
Saudi Arabia is conducting an aerial campaign over Yemen, and the Saudi Royal Air Force is using UK-manufactured military hardware, including Eurofighter Typhoon jets, missiles, cluster bombs, and other types of arms and ammunition.
The British Government has publicly stated its support for Saudi Arabia’s role in Yemen, saying it is supporting President Abdrabbuh Mansour Hadi against Houthi rebels.
British MPs and humanitarian organizations have called on the Government to end arms sales to Riyadh. The British government was forced to defend the arms trade and it won a legal challenge mounted by the Campaign against the Arms Trade in July 2017.
Summary
Saudi Arabia and the United Kingdom enjoy a strong bilateral relationship, with a primary component being defense and security cooperation. The two countries are striking a new balance in regional foreign policy at a time when protracted conflicts and turmoil in the wider Middle East are at a record level.
Britain was aware of the strategic threat posed by Iran to Saudi Arabia, the Gulf, and the Middle East, and the UK is ready to work together with the Saudis to deter Iran’s aggressive behavior in the region. The mechanism for Britain to fulfill its commitments will be continued strategic dialogue and tactical coordination between the two countries, and upgraded British presence in the Gulf region.
There is a vast and growing range of opportunities in the security and economic spheres for both countries to engage with each other. Saudi Arabia is a major buyer of British arms. The Aerospace Industry in the UK is among the largest in the world and the largest in Europe. It employs nearly a quarter of a million skilled and technical workers across the UK.
The British military and security cooperation deal with Saudi Arabia constitutes a message that the UK intends to defend its strategic and economic interests in the region and press forward with the close engagement of Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states as strategic allies.
[Sources: Arab News, Asharq Alawsat, Al Arabiya, The Independent, Ceasefire, The National]
As the British government faces growing criticism over its continuing arms exports to Riyadh, Col. (res.) Dr. Shaul Shay examines the strong bilateral relationship between the two countries
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in talks with Prime Minister Theresa May, March 2018 (Photo: AP)
Saudi Arabia on March 31, 2019, launched its first locally assembled Hawk jet training aircraft, some parts of which were manufactured by local companies.
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman unveiled the plane during a ceremony at King Abdulaziz Air Base in the Eastern Province. The crown prince was briefed on the stages of assembling and manufacturing the main parts of the aircraft. During the launching event, the plane took off for its test flight after the Crown Prince gave the "go" signal.
More than 70 percent of the project's workforce is Saudi Arabian. The Saudis are assembling 22 Hawk aircraft s after more than two years of training at the hands of international expertise. The Saudi-British Defense Cooperation Program, in collaboration with BAE Systems, oversaw the training of Saudis with the participation of more than 25 national companies.
Crown Prince bin Salman, who is also the minister of defense, met with his British counterpart Michael Fallon on September 19, 2017, in Jeddah, where the two signed a military and security cooperation deal. During the meeting, they reviewed the bilateral relations between the two countries, especially the mechanisms of joint coordination in the field of defense, as well as discuss developments in the region and efforts exerted to combat them.
Mr. Fallon said the agreement would help Saudi Arabia better protect its national security, including through counterterrorism, intelligence, and training. “This agreement further cements the UK’s long-standing relationship with our key Gulf partner,” he said.
The British Arms Sales to Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia is a major buyer of British arms and a partner in attempts to defeat ISIS. Almost two-thirds of UK arms exports go to the Middle East, according to the Department for International Trade, and across the region, Saudi Arabia buys the greatest number of weapons from the UK.
Saudi Arabia has been identified as a “priority market” for defense exports with the UK Trade and Investment’s Defense and Security Organization (UKTI DSO), and in 2015, over 30 percent of all UK defense exports were licensed to Saudi Arabia.
From April to December 2015, these licenses included exports exceeding the value of £1.7 billion for combat aircraft and over £1 billion for air-delivered bombs.
British arms companies have earned more than £6bn from their trade with Saudi Arabia during the ongoing war in Yemen.
Britain made a total of £5.6 billion in arms sales to Saudi Arabia between May 2010 and early 2016. This consists of bulk sales of tear gas, bombs and guns, £1.6 billion for Hawk jets, and 72 Typhoon fighter aircraft (a deal worth £4.5 billion when completed), according to the Independent newspaper.
In traveling to Saudi Arabia, the British Prime Minister Theresa May sent a strong message of endorsement to the Saudi regime, one that Whitehall hope will be rewarded by arms sales. In December 2016, May said that Britain would invest more than £3 billion in defense in the Gulf region as the country prepared to leave the European Union.
The Debate over Arms Sales to Saudi Arabia
Since March 2015, Saudi Arabia formed a ten-member coalition to intervene in Yemen to support the government in its war against Iran-backed Houthi rebels. The Gulf States said Iran is trying to expand its influence in Arab countries, including Yemen.
Saudi Arabia is conducting an aerial campaign over Yemen, and the Saudi Royal Air Force is using UK-manufactured military hardware, including Eurofighter Typhoon jets, missiles, cluster bombs, and other types of arms and ammunition.
The British Government has publicly stated its support for Saudi Arabia’s role in Yemen, saying it is supporting President Abdrabbuh Mansour Hadi against Houthi rebels.
British MPs and humanitarian organizations have called on the Government to end arms sales to Riyadh. The British government was forced to defend the arms trade and it won a legal challenge mounted by the Campaign against the Arms Trade in July 2017.
Summary
Saudi Arabia and the United Kingdom enjoy a strong bilateral relationship, with a primary component being defense and security cooperation. The two countries are striking a new balance in regional foreign policy at a time when protracted conflicts and turmoil in the wider Middle East are at a record level.
Britain was aware of the strategic threat posed by Iran to Saudi Arabia, the Gulf, and the Middle East, and the UK is ready to work together with the Saudis to deter Iran’s aggressive behavior in the region. The mechanism for Britain to fulfill its commitments will be continued strategic dialogue and tactical coordination between the two countries, and upgraded British presence in the Gulf region.
There is a vast and growing range of opportunities in the security and economic spheres for both countries to engage with each other. Saudi Arabia is a major buyer of British arms. The Aerospace Industry in the UK is among the largest in the world and the largest in Europe. It employs nearly a quarter of a million skilled and technical workers across the UK.
The British military and security cooperation deal with Saudi Arabia constitutes a message that the UK intends to defend its strategic and economic interests in the region and press forward with the close engagement of Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states as strategic allies.
[Sources: Arab News, Asharq Alawsat, Al Arabiya, The Independent, Ceasefire, The National]
