Saudi Arabian National Guard
From Worldatplay
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
| - | The Saudi Arabian National Guard (SANG, also known as the White Army) is one of five branches of the Saudi Arabian Defence Forces. It serves both as defence force against external threats and as a security force against internal threats. Its duties include protecting the royal family, guarding against coups, protecting strategic facilities and resources, and protecting the Holy Places of Mecca and Medina. It is both a standing force of 125,000, with a tribal militia of 25,000. The SANG is the King's private army consisting of personnel drawn from tribes loyal to the King and Royal Family. It is always commanded by a high ranking member of the royal family. The force was extensively reorganized and retrained by the Vinnell Corporation (using over a thousand US Vietnam War veterans) in the 1980s and performed well in the Gulf War/Operation Desert Storm especially in the battle for Khafji. | + | The Saudi Arabian National Guard (SANG, also known as the White Army) is one of five branches of the [[Military of Saudi Arabia|Saudi Arabian Defence Forces]]. It serves both as defence force against external threats and as a security force against internal threats. Its duties include protecting the royal family, guarding against coups, protecting strategic facilities and resources, and protecting the Holy Places of Mecca and Medina. It is both a standing force of 125,000, with a tribal militia of 25,000. The SANG is the King's private army consisting of personnel drawn from tribes loyal to the King and Royal Family. It is always commanded by a high ranking member of the royal family. The force was extensively reorganized and retrained by the Vinnell Corporation (using over a thousand US Vietnam War veterans) in the 1980s and performed well in the Gulf War/Operation Desert Storm especially in the battle for Khafji. |
| + | |||
| + | Elements of the National Guard played a part in the 2006 Abortive Coup, and it is rumoured that the [[Muhammad_Abdul_Qadir|Prime Minister]] favours downsizing the National Guard. | ||
=Organisation= | =Organisation= | ||
Revision as of 07:31, 14 January 2008
The Saudi Arabian National Guard (SANG, also known as the White Army) is one of five branches of the Saudi Arabian Defence Forces. It serves both as defence force against external threats and as a security force against internal threats. Its duties include protecting the royal family, guarding against coups, protecting strategic facilities and resources, and protecting the Holy Places of Mecca and Medina. It is both a standing force of 125,000, with a tribal militia of 25,000. The SANG is the King's private army consisting of personnel drawn from tribes loyal to the King and Royal Family. It is always commanded by a high ranking member of the royal family. The force was extensively reorganized and retrained by the Vinnell Corporation (using over a thousand US Vietnam War veterans) in the 1980s and performed well in the Gulf War/Operation Desert Storm especially in the battle for Khafji.
Elements of the National Guard played a part in the 2006 Abortive Coup, and it is rumoured that the Prime Minister favours downsizing the National Guard.
Contents |
Organisation
Mechanised Brigades
- Imam Muhammad bin Saud Mechanized Brigade (IMBS)
- Prince Saad Abdulrahman Mechanized Brigade (PSAR)
- King Abdulaziz Mechanized Brigade
Infantry Brigades
- 1st National Guard Infantry Brigade
- 2nd National Guard Infantry Brigade
- 3rd National Guard Infantry Brigade
- 4th National Guard Infantry Brigade
- 5th National Guard Infantry Brigade
Equipment
Armoured Vehicles/Artillery
- Cadillac Gage Commando V-150 AFV
- LAV III AFV
- M198 howitzer
- M102 howitzer
Small Arms
- SIG P228 9mm pistol
- Beretta 92F 9mm pistol
- M16A4 5.56mm Assault Rifle
- M4 5.56mm Carbine
- FN Minimi 5.56mm light machine gun
- H&K G3 7.62mm Battle Rifle
- Rheinmetall MG3 7.62mm GPMG
- M2 0.50 cal Machine Gun
- M203 40mm grenade launcher
