A Guide to Saudi Arabia Politics: 15. Saudi Arabia armed forces

Saudi Arabia can boast its military power and spending on the military development to maintain stability in the region. The armed forces are managed by the Ministry of Defense and Aviation Forces that can be divided into several subunits: land forces, naval forces, air forces, air defense forces, National Guard, and strategic rocket forces. Although there is no conscription in the country, the country has almost one half of the overall population fit to serve in the armed forces (approximately 13 million men and women). The military expenditures reached 7.98% of the national GDP, which makes Saudi Arabia third country in the world that spends so much on the military (CIA).