C4ISR: Strengthening Saudi Arabia’s Border Security and Defense Modernization Capabilities

C4ISR: Strengthening Saudi Arabia’s Border Security and Defense Modernization Capabilities

Saudi Arabia is the 8th largest defense spender with the total military spending taking a 6.6% share of GDP in 2021. The figure is substantially higher than the global average of 2.2% GDP share recorded in the same year. This reflects the Kingdom’s strong resolve to develop local military capabilities, increase self-reliance in the defense sector, and protect the Kingdom’s borders. The Saudi Arabian Armed Forces, including the Royal Saudi Air Forces, Royal Saudi Air Defense Forces, Royal Saudi Naval Forces Command, and the Royal Saudi Land Forces, are at the forefront of national security and border protection in KSA. The development of core capabilities in Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (C4ISR) is crucial for the operations and missions of these armed forces.

?C4ISR: Advancing the Agenda of Border Protection in the Kingdom

In recent years, Saudi Arabia has made formidable efforts to improve its capabilities in C4ISR. To this end, the Saudi Arabian Military Industries (SAMI) is devoted to strengthening emerging local defense technologies such as next-level situational awareness, intelligent interoperability, tactical communications, and advanced surveillance and reconnaissance systems. SAMI is also actively signing JVs and partnerships to propel the growth of C4ISR as part of the land, air, and naval defense systems in the Kingdom. This will ensure a greater inflow of technical expertise in the Kingdom to further support the local military sector while strengthening the net of border security. Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Defense has also signed contracts worth over SAR 13 Bn in areas such as communication systems, land, and marine surveillance, and electro-optical systems, amongst others, at the recently concluded World Defense Show.

Focus on Indigenous Development and Defense Modernization to Aid Growth and Innovation in C4ISR Technologies

Saudi Arabia’s agenda of defense modernization, with a focus on indigenous engineering and development (E&D), is closely related to the development of cutting-edge technologies for the military. It is worthwhile to mention that C4I technologies spanning into areas of situational awareness, intelligent interoperability, and geospatial analytics are opening tremendous opportunities for defense modernization in the Kingdom. Furthermore, at this vital juncture where the Kingdom is robustly investing in defense localization and Vision 2030 goals, the Internet of Military Things (IoMT) and Artificial Intelligence are emerging as vital technologies within C4ISR. The development of robust IoMT capabilities in the Kingdom is foreseen to enhance battlefield management and consolidate information that is critical to warfare operations. As the precision and security of military operation intelligence in Saudi Arabia are highly critical, robust C4ISR development stands imminent.

?Integrating Diverse Military Intelligence Capabilities to Develop a Unified & Solid Defense Sector

?Saudi Arabia’s progressive approach to defense self-sufficiency entails unifying diverse capabilities to develop a singular and uncompromised infrastructure in C4 and ISR for communications between its strategic, operational, and tactical layers. This includes communication and integration of data from various sensors such as radars, electrical, optical, acoustic, and infrared systems as well as unmanned vehicles to boost surveillance and reconnaissance capability. Besides, enhancement of network-centric warfare, Geographic Information System (GIS) mapping, upgrading of small satellites, and development of robust cloud, satellite, and wireless technologies to assist decision making are some of the military applications gaining momentum in the Kingdom. In addition to this, upgrading all military infrastructure to be at par with international standards as well as developing modern AI-based C4ISR systems, Early Warning Systems (EWS), Blue Force Tracking Systems, and geospatial analytics capabilities hold paramount importance for self-reliance in the defense industry.

?C4ISR Application in Context of Saudi Vision 2030 and Achieving Defense Tech Autonomy

With Saudi Vision 2030, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is aiming to pivot itself into a new era of economic diversification and achieve global leadership in multiple sectors. In this context, the adoption of robust C4ISR solutions is set to play a vital role in strengthening the national military and fortifying national defense and cyber warfare operations. Achieving these targets alongside the reduction of dependence on foreign defense imports entails tremendous effort, foresight, and planning from companies like Advanced Electronics Company. Local capability development investments and efforts will undoubtedly help the Kingdom achieve its goal of 50% local military procurement by 2030. ?