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Military Stats: compare key data on Iran & Saudi Arabia

Edsel.G

Author: Edsel.G

Saudi Arabia and Iran are historic foes. Saudi, being predominantly Sunni, and Iran, being the center of Shiite Islam, consider themselves as the champions of their own respective religions. While they have had no direct armed confrontations, they have certainly engaged in numerous diplomatic squabbles and war of words. This has worsened when Saudi openly gave its support to the rebels fighting the Assad regime in Syria, long considered as Iran’s closest ally. As such, a military conflict between the two countries is not a question of ‘if,’ it is a question of ‘when.’

Economically, Saudi Arabia has a long lead over Iran. Saudi’s economy is driven by its massive oil and petroleum deposits (Saudi is the second largest oil producer in the world). Iran, too, has massive oil fields, but production is extremely hampered by technological backlog and by Western sanctions brought about by Iranian nuclear development, long suspected to veil nuclear weapons’ development.

Militarily, the two countries are not far apart, with Iran taking a small lead over the Kingdom. The economic and military isolation of the country due to the US-led sanctions has not caused Iran to cower and give in to foreign pressure; instead, it has made itself militarily independent by developing and creating ingenious weapons systems. In sheer size, Iran’s military is pretty massive with its army three times the size as that of Saudi’s. The Iranian army is equipped with numerous locally-developed Zulfiqar tanks. Saudi’s tank arsenal does not have as many, but they are comprised mostly of the technologically-superior and battle-tested American M1 Abrams. Saudi is one of the world’s biggest military spenders, and it has purchased the most advanced military hardware from the US, UK, France, China, among others.

The Iranian navy, too, has numerical superiority. However, numerical superiority nowadays is hardly synonymous with overall power. Saudi’s navy is nearly a fifth the size of Iran’s, but the former’s navy is well equipped with technologically-advanced ships and naval aircraft.

Saudi has invested much on its air force. Currently, its air force is among Middle-East’s most formidable forces with its arsenal of F-15s and Eurotyphoons. It is also on the track to buy the coveted F-35 Multi-Role Joint Strike Fighter of the US. Iran has a sizeable air force, but it is equipped with an ageing fleet of F-14 Tomcats.

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Definitions

  • Air force > Combat aircraft: Number of fighter aircrafts (fixed wing aircrafts with combat capability).
  • Armed forces personnel: Total armed forces (2000)
  • Army > Main battle tanks: Number of main battle tanks.
  • Battle-related deaths > Number of people: Battle-related deaths (number of people). Battle-related deaths are deaths in battle-related conflicts between warring parties in the conflict dyad (two conflict units that are parties to a conflict). Typically, battle-related deaths occur in warfare involving the armed forces of the warring parties. This includes traditional battlefield fighting, guerrilla activities, and all kinds of bombardments of military units, cities, and villages, etc. The targets are usually the military itself and its installations or state institutions and state representatives, but there is often substantial collateral damage in the form of civilians being killed in crossfire, in indiscriminate bombings, etc. All deaths--military as well as civilian--incurred in such situations, are counted as battle-related deaths.
  • Budget: Annual defense budget in billion USD.
  • Expenditures > Percent of GDP: Current military expenditures as an estimated percent of gross domestic product (GDP).
  • Global Peace Index: The Global Peace Index is comprised of 22 indicators in the three categories ongoing domestic or international conflicts; societal safety; and security and militarization. A low index value indicates a peaceful and safe country.
  • Military branches: This entry lists the service branches subordinate to defense ministries or the equivalent (typically ground, naval, air, and marine forces).
  • Military expenditures: This entry gives spending on defense programs for the most recent year available as a percent of gross domestic product (GDP); the GDP is calculated on an exchange rate basis, i.e., not in terms of purchasing power parity (PPP). For countries with no military forces, this figure can include expenditures on public security and police.
  • Military service age and obligation: This entry gives the required ages for voluntary or conscript military service and the length of service obligation.
  • Navy > Aircraft carriers: Number of aircraft carriers.
  • Navy > Corvette warships: Number of corvettes.
  • Paramilitary personnel: Paramilitary.

    No date was available from the Wikipedia article, so we used the date of retrieval.

  • Personnel > Per capita: Armed forces personnel are active duty military personnel, including paramilitary forces if the training, organization, equipment, and control suggest they may be used to support or replace regular military forces. Per capita figures expressed per 1,000 population.
  • Service age and obligation: This entry gives the required ages for voluntary or conscript military service and the length of sevice obligation.
  • Personnel: Armed forces personnel are active duty military personnel, including paramilitary forces if the training, organization, equipment, and control suggest they may be used to support or replace regular military forces.
  • Navy > Frigates: Number of frigates.
  • Expenditures > Dollar figure per capita: Current military expenditures in US dollars; the figure is calculated by multiplying the estimated defense spending in percentage terms by the gross domestic product (GDP) calculated on an exchange rate basis not purchasing power parity (PPP) terms. Dollar figures for military expenditures should be treated with caution because of different price patterns and accounting methods among nations, as well as wide variations in the strength of their currencies. Figures expressed per capita for the same year.
  • Branches: The names of the ground, naval, air, marine, and other defense or security forces
  • Battle-related deaths > Number of people per million: Battle-related deaths (number of people). Battle-related deaths are deaths in battle-related conflicts between warring parties in the conflict dyad (two conflict units that are parties to a conflict). Typically, battle-related deaths occur in warfare involving the armed forces of the warring parties. This includes traditional battlefield fighting, guerrilla activities, and all kinds of bombardments of military units, cities, and villages, etc. The targets are usually the military itself and its installations or state institutions and state representatives, but there is often substantial collateral damage in the form of civilians being killed in crossfire, in indiscriminate bombings, etc. All deaths--military as well as civilian--incurred in such situations, are counted as battle-related deaths. Figures expressed per million population for the same year.
  • Manpower reaching military age annually > Males: This entry is derived from Military > Manpower reaching military age annually, which gives the number of males and females entering the military manpower pool (i.e., reaching age 16) in any given year and is a measure of the availability of military-age young adults.
  • Expenditures > Dollar figure: Current military expenditures in US dollars; the figure is calculated by multiplying the estimated defense spending in percentage terms by the gross domestic product (GDP) calculated on an exchange rate basis not purchasing power parity (PPP) terms. Dollar figures for military expenditures should be treated with caution because of different price patterns and accounting methods among nations, as well as wide variations in the strength of their currencies
  • Armed forces personnel per 1000: Total armed forces (2000). Figures expressed per thousand population for the same year.
  • Manpower > Reaching military age annually > Males: The number of draft-age males and females entering the military manpower pool in any given year and is a measure of the availability of draft-age young adults.
  • Personnel per 1000: Armed forces personnel are active duty military personnel, including paramilitary forces if the training, organization, equipment, and control suggest they may be used to support or replace regular military forces. Figures expressed per thousand population for the same year.
  • Expenditure > Current LCU: Military expenditures data from SIPRI are derived from the NATO definition, which includes all current and capital expenditures on the armed forces, including peacekeeping forces; defense ministries and other government agencies engaged in defense projects; paramilitary forces, if these are judged to be trained and equipped for military operations; and military space activities. Such expenditures include military and civil personnel, including retirement pensions of military personnel and social services for personnel; operation and maintenance; procurement; military research and development; and military aid (in the military expenditures of the donor country). Excluded are civil defense and current expenditures for previous military activities, such as for veterans' benefits, demobilization, conversion, and destruction of weapons. This definition cannot be applied for all countries, however, since that would require much more detailed information than is available about what is included in military budgets and off-budget military expenditure items. (For example, military budgets might or might not cover civil defense, reserves and auxiliary forces, police and paramilitary forces, dual-purpose forces such as military and civilian police, military grants in kind, pensions for military personnel, and social security contributions paid by one part of government to another.)
  • Conscription: A description of the status of conscription in the nation in 1997.
  • Armed forces growth: Growth in the number of armed forces personnel from 1985 (index = 100) to 2000. 100 means no growth, 50 means it halved and 200 means it doubled.
  • Arms imports > Constant 1990 US$: Arms transfers cover the supply of military weapons through sales, aid, gifts, and those made through manufacturing licenses. Data cover major conventional weapons such as aircraft, armored vehicles, artillery, radar systems, missiles, and ships designed for military use. Excluded are transfers of other military equipment such as small arms and light weapons, trucks, small artillery, ammunition, support equipment, technology transfers, and other services.
  • Military expenditures > Percent of GDP: This entry gives spending on defense programs for the most recent year available as a percent of gross domestic product (GDP); the GDP is calculated on an exchange rate basis, i.e., not in terms of purchasing power parity (PPP). For countries with no military forces, this figure can include expenditures on public security and police.
  • Expenditures > Dollar figure > Per $ GDP: Current military expenditures in US dollars; the figure is calculated by multiplying the estimated defense spending in percentage terms by the gross domestic product (GDP) calculated on an exchange rate basis not purchasing power parity (PPP) terms. Dollar figures for military expenditures should be treated with caution because of different price patterns and accounting methods among nations, as well as wide variations in the strength of their currencies Per $ GDP figures expressed per 1,000 $ gross domestic product
  • Weapon holdings per 1000: . Figures expressed per thousand population for the same year.
  • Arms > Exports > Constant 1990 US$: Arms transfers cover the supply of military weapons through sales, aid, gifts, and those made through manufacturing licenses. Data cover major conventional weapons such as aircraft, armored vehicles, artillery, radar systems, missiles, and ships designed for military use. Excluded are transfers of other military equipment such as small arms and light weapons, trucks, small artillery, ammunition, support equipment, technology transfers, and other services.
  • Manpower fit for military service > Males age 18-49: This entry gives the number of males and females falling in the military age range for the country and who are not otherwise disqualified for health reasons; accounts for the health situation in the country and provides a more realistic estimate of the actual number fit to serve.
  • Manpower available for military service > Males age 18-49: This entry gives the number of males and females falling in the military age range for the country and assumes that every individual is fit to serve.
  • Manpower reaching military age annually > Males per thousand people: This entry is derived from Military > Manpower reaching military age annually, which gives the number of males and females entering the military manpower pool (i.e., reaching age 16) in any given year and is a measure of the availability of military-age young adults. Figures expressed per thousand people for the same year.
  • Expenditures > Dollar figure > Per capita: Current military expenditures in US dollars; the figure is calculated by multiplying the estimated defense spending in percentage terms by the gross domestic product (GDP) calculated on an exchange rate basis not purchasing power parity (PPP) terms. Dollar figures for military expenditures should be treated with caution because of different price patterns and accounting methods among nations, as well as wide variations in the strength of their currencies Per capita figures expressed per 1 population.
  • Conventional arms imports: Conventional arms transfers (1990 prices) - Imports (US$ millions) Refers to the voluntary transfer by the supplier (and thus excludes captured weapons and weapons obtained through defectors) of weapons with a military purpose destined for the armed forces, paramilitary forces or intelligence agencies of another country. These include major conventional weapons or systems in six categories: ships, aircraft, missiles, artillery, armoured vehicles and guidance and radar systems (excluded are trucks, services, ammunition, small arms, support items, components and component technology and towed or naval artillery under 100-millimetre calibre).
  • Manpower > Military age: The minimum age at which an individual may volunteer for military service or be subject to conscription.
  • Manpower reaching military service age annually > Males age 18-49: This entry gives the number of draft-age males and females entering the military manpower pool in any given year and is a measure of the availability of draft-age young adults.
  • Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually > Males: This entry is derived from Military > Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually, which gives the number of males and females entering the military manpower pool (i.e., reaching age 16) in any given year and is a measure of the availability of military-age young adults.
  • Arms imports > Constant 1990 US$ per capita: Arms transfers cover the supply of military weapons through sales, aid, gifts, and those made through manufacturing licenses. Data cover major conventional weapons such as aircraft, armored vehicles, artillery, radar systems, missiles, and ships designed for military use. Excluded are transfers of other military equipment such as small arms and light weapons, trucks, small artillery, ammunition, support equipment, technology transfers, and other services. Figures expressed per capita for the same year.
  • Arms > Exports > Constant 1990 US$ > Per capita: Arms transfers cover the supply of military weapons through sales, aid, gifts, and those made through manufacturing licenses. Data cover major conventional weapons such as aircraft, armored vehicles, artillery, radar systems, missiles, and ships designed for military use. Excluded are transfers of other military equipment such as small arms and light weapons, trucks, small artillery, ammunition, support equipment, technology transfers, and other services. Per capita figures expressed per 1,000 population.
  • Manpower fit for military service > Females age 18-49: This entry gives the number of males and females falling in the military age range for the country and who are not otherwise disqualified for health reasons; accounts for the health situation in the country and provides a more realistic estimate of the actual number fit to serve.
  • Manpower fit for military service > Males age 18-49 per 1000: This entry gives the number of males and females falling in the military age range for the country and who are not otherwise disqualified for health reasons; accounts for the health situation in the country and provides a more realistic estimate of the actual number fit to serve. Figures expressed per thousand population for the same year.
  • Employment in arms > Production per 1000: . Figures expressed per thousand population for the same year.
  • Manpower > Availability > Males age 15-49: The total numbers of males aged 15-49. This statistic assumes that every individual is fit to serve.
  • Arms imports > Constant 1990 US$ > Per capita: Arms transfers cover the supply of military weapons through sales, aid, gifts, and those made through manufacturing licenses. Data cover major conventional weapons such as aircraft, armored vehicles, artillery, radar systems, missiles, and ships designed for military use. Excluded are transfers of other military equipment such as small arms and light weapons, trucks, small artillery, ammunition, support equipment, technology transfers, and other services. Per capita figures expressed per 1 population.
  • Manpower reaching military service age annually > Females age 18-49 per 1000: This entry gives the number of draft-age males and females entering the military manpower pool in any given year and is a measure of the availability of draft-age young adults. Figures expressed per thousand population for the same year.
  • Manpower available for military service > Males age 18-49 per 1000: This entry gives the number of males and females falling in the military age range for the country and assumes that every individual is fit to serve. Figures expressed per thousand population for the same year.
  • Conventional arms imports per capita: Conventional arms transfers (1990 prices) - Imports (US$ millions) Refers to the voluntary transfer by the supplier (and thus excludes captured weapons and weapons obtained through defectors) of weapons with a military purpose destined for the armed forces, paramilitary forces or intelligence agencies of another country. These include major conventional weapons or systems in six categories: ships, aircraft, missiles, artillery, armoured vehicles and guidance and radar systems (excluded are trucks, services, ammunition, small arms, support items, components and component technology and towed or naval artillery under 100-millimetre calibre). Figures expressed per capita for the same year.
  • Manpower reaching military age annually > Females per thousand people: This entry is derived from Military > Manpower reaching military age annually, which gives the number of males and females entering the military manpower pool (i.e., reaching age 16) in any given year and is a measure of the availability of military-age young adults. Figures expressed per thousand people for the same year.
  • Manpower reaching military age annually > Females: This entry is derived from Military > Manpower reaching military age annually, which gives the number of males and females entering the military manpower pool (i.e., reaching age 16) in any given year and is a measure of the availability of military-age young adults.
  • Manpower > Availability > Males age 15-49 per 1000: The total numbers of males aged 15-49. This statistic assumes that every individual is fit to serve. Figures expressed per thousand population for the same year.
  • Manpower > Fit for military service > Males age 15-49: The number of males aged 15-49 fit for military service. This is a more refined measure of potential military manpower availability which tries to correct for the health situation in the country and reduces the maximum potential number to a more realistic estimate of the actual number fit to serve.
  • Manpower available for military service > Females age 18-49: This entry gives the number of males and females falling in the military age range for the country and assumes that every individual is fit to serve.
  • Iraq pledges of reconstruction aid: Amount pledged by donor countries for reconstruction in Iraq, as of December 31, 2005. NOTES ON PLEDGES OF RECONSTRUCTION AID TABLE: The European Commission has pledged $518,119,988, which includes an additional January 2005 pledge of 200 million Euros (approximately $260 million), not yet formally committed to UNDG or World Bank Iraqi Trust Fund. Not incuded in this graph is $65,000,000 in additional pledges from Kuwait. "The World Bank, United Nations and CPA estimated Iraq will need $56 billion for reconstruction and stabilization efforts from 2004 to 2007, but that estimate is probably too low." -Brookings Institute. UPDATE ON 2003 MADRID CONFERENCE PLEDGES: Of the $13.5 billion pledged by donors other than the United States, $3.2 billion has been disbursed as of December 2005. The figure for the United States is derived from the IRRF 1 and 2. Status of the IRRF 2 as of January 6, 2006: $16.9 billion as been committed, and just over $10.1 billion has been expended.
  • Manpower reaching military service age annually > Males age 18-49 per 1000: This entry gives the number of draft-age males and females entering the military manpower pool in any given year and is a measure of the availability of draft-age young adults. Figures expressed per thousand population for the same year.
  • Manpower reaching military service age annually > Females age 18-49: This entry gives the number of draft-age males and females entering the military manpower pool in any given year and is a measure of the availability of draft-age young adults.
  • Conventional arms imports > Per $ GDP: Conventional arms transfers (1990 prices) - Imports (US$ millions) Refers to the voluntary transfer by the supplier (and thus excludes captured weapons and weapons obtained through defectors) of weapons with a military purpose destined for the armed forces, paramilitary forces or intelligence agencies of another country. These include major conventional weapons or systems in six categories: ships, aircraft, missiles, artillery, armoured vehicles and guidance and radar systems (excluded are trucks, services, ammunition, small arms, support items, components and component technology and towed or naval artillery under 100-millimetre calibre). Per $ GDP figures expressed per 1,000 $ gross domestic product.
  • Iraq pledges of reconstruction aid > Per $ GDP: Amount pledged by donor countries for reconstruction in Iraq, as of December 31, 2005. NOTES ON PLEDGES OF RECONSTRUCTION AID TABLE: The European Commission has pledged $518,119,988, which includes an additional January 2005 pledge of 200 million Euros (approximately $260 million), not yet formally committed to UNDG or World Bank Iraqi Trust Fund. Not incuded in this graph is $65,000,000 in additional pledges from Kuwait. "The World Bank, United Nations and CPA estimated Iraq will need $56 billion for reconstruction and stabilization efforts from 2004 to 2007, but that estimate is probably too low." -Brookings Institute. UPDATE ON 2003 MADRID CONFERENCE PLEDGES: Of the $13.5 billion pledged by donors other than the United States, $3.2 billion has been disbursed as of December 2005. The figure for the United States is derived from the IRRF 1 and 2. Status of the IRRF 2 as of January 6, 2006: $16.9 billion as been committed, and just over $10.1 billion has been expended. Per $ GDP figures expressed per 100,000 $ gross domestic product.
  • Manpower > Reaching military age annually > Males per 1000: The number of draft-age males and females entering the military manpower pool in any given year and is a measure of the availability of draft-age young adults. Figures expressed per thousand population for the same year.
  • Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually > Females: This entry is derived from Military > Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually, which gives the number of males and females entering the military manpower pool (i.e., reaching age 16) in any given year and is a measure of the availability of military-age young adults.
  • Personnel > % of total labor force: Armed forces personnel are active duty military personnel, including paramilitary forces if the training, organization, equipment, and control suggest they may be used to support or replace regular military forces. Labor force comprises all people who meet the International Labour Organization's definition of the economically active population.
  • Iraqi insurgency > Foreign fighter nationality distribution > Number per million: Foreign Insurgents captured in Iraq in the 7-month period April–October 2005:. Figures expressed per million population for the same year.
  • Iraq pledges of reconstruction aid, % of GDP: Amount pledged by donor countries for reconstruction in Iraq, as of December 31, 2005. NOTES ON PLEDGES OF RECONSTRUCTION AID TABLE: The European Commission has pledged $518,119,988, which includes an additional January 2005 pledge of 200 million Euros (approximately $260 million), not yet formally committed to UNDG or World Bank Iraqi Trust Fund. Not incuded in this graph is $65,000,000 in additional pledges from Kuwait. "The World Bank, United Nations and CPA estimated Iraq will need $56 billion for reconstruction and stabilization efforts from 2004 to 2007, but that estimate is probably too low." -Brookings Institute. UPDATE ON 2003 MADRID CONFERENCE PLEDGES: Of the $13.5 billion pledged by donors other than the United States, $3.2 billion has been disbursed as of December 2005. The figure for the United States is derived from the IRRF 1 and 2. Status of the IRRF 2 as of January 6, 2006: $16.9 billion as been committed, and just over $10.1 billion has been expended. Figures expressed as a proportion of GDP for the same year
  • Iraq pledges of reconstruction aid per capita: Amount pledged by donor countries for reconstruction in Iraq, as of December 31, 2005. NOTES ON PLEDGES OF RECONSTRUCTION AID TABLE: The European Commission has pledged $518,119,988, which includes an additional January 2005 pledge of 200 million Euros (approximately $260 million), not yet formally committed to UNDG or World Bank Iraqi Trust Fund. Not incuded in this graph is $65,000,000 in additional pledges from Kuwait. "The World Bank, United Nations and CPA estimated Iraq will need $56 billion for reconstruction and stabilization efforts from 2004 to 2007, but that estimate is probably too low." -Brookings Institute. UPDATE ON 2003 MADRID CONFERENCE PLEDGES: Of the $13.5 billion pledged by donors other than the United States, $3.2 billion has been disbursed as of December 2005. The figure for the United States is derived from the IRRF 1 and 2. Status of the IRRF 2 as of January 6, 2006: $16.9 billion as been committed, and just over $10.1 billion has been expended. Figures expressed per capita for the same year.
  • Iraqi insurgency > Foreign fighter nationality distribution > Number: Foreign Insurgents captured in Iraq in the 7-month period April–October 2005:
  • Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually > Females per thousand people: This entry is derived from Military > Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually, which gives the number of males and females entering the military manpower pool (i.e., reaching age 16) in any given year and is a measure of the availability of military-age young adults. Figures expressed per thousand people for the same year.
  • Arms > Exports > Constant 1990 US$ per capita: Arms transfers cover the supply of military weapons through sales, aid, gifts, and those made through manufacturing licenses. Data cover major conventional weapons such as aircraft, armored vehicles, artillery, radar systems, missiles, and ships designed for military use. Excluded are transfers of other military equipment such as small arms and light weapons, trucks, small artillery, ammunition, support equipment, technology transfers, and other services. Figures expressed per capita for the same year.
  • Conventional arms imports, % of GDP: Conventional arms transfers (1990 prices) - Imports (US$ millions) Refers to the voluntary transfer by the supplier (and thus excludes captured weapons and weapons obtained through defectors) of weapons with a military purpose destined for the armed forces, paramilitary forces or intelligence agencies of another country. These include major conventional weapons or systems in six categories: ships, aircraft, missiles, artillery, armoured vehicles and guidance and radar systems (excluded are trucks, services, ammunition, small arms, support items, components and component technology and towed or naval artillery under 100-millimetre calibre). Figures expressed as a proportion of GDP for the same year
  • Manpower > Fit for military service > Males age 15-49 > Per capita: The number of males aged 15-49 fit for military service. This is a more refined measure of potential military manpower availability which tries to correct for the health situation in the country and reduces the maximum potential number to a more realistic estimate of the actual number fit to serve. Per capita figures expressed per 1 population.
  • Manpower > Reaching military age annually > Females > Per capita: Per capita figures expressed per 1,000 population.
  • Manpower > Availability > Males age 15-49 > Per capita: The total numbers of males aged 15-49. This statistic assumes that every individual is fit to serve. Per capita figures expressed per 1 population.
  • Manpower > Reaching military age annually > Males > Per capita: The number of draft-age males and females entering the military manpower pool in any given year and is a measure of the availability of draft-age young adults. Per capita figures expressed per 1,000 population.
  • Manpower fit for military service > Females age 18-49 per 1000: This entry gives the number of males and females falling in the military age range for the country and who are not otherwise disqualified for health reasons; accounts for the health situation in the country and provides a more realistic estimate of the actual number fit to serve. Figures expressed per thousand population for the same year.
  • Manpower > Reaching military age annually > Females per 1000: . Figures expressed per thousand population for the same year.
  • Manpower > Fit for military service > Females per 1000: . Figures expressed per thousand population for the same year.
  • Manpower > Fit for military service > Males age 15-49 per 1000: The number of males aged 15-49 fit for military service. This is a more refined measure of potential military manpower availability which tries to correct for the health situation in the country and reduces the maximum potential number to a more realistic estimate of the actual number fit to serve. Figures expressed per thousand population for the same year.
  • Manpower available for military service > Females age 18-49 per 1000: This entry gives the number of males and females falling in the military age range for the country and assumes that every individual is fit to serve. Figures expressed per thousand population for the same year.
  • Expenditure > % of GDP: Military expenditures data from SIPRI are derived from the NATO definition, which includes all current and capital expenditures on the armed forces, including peacekeeping forces; defense ministries and other government agencies engaged in defense projects; paramilitary forces, if these are judged to be trained and equipped for military operations; and military space activities. Such expenditures include military and civil personnel, including retirement pensions of military personnel and social services for personnel; operation and maintenance; procurement; military research and development; and military aid (in the military expenditures of the donor country). Excluded are civil defense and current expenditures for previous military activities, such as for veterans' benefits, demobilization, conversion, and destruction of weapons. This definition cannot be applied for all countries, however, since that would require much more detailed information than is available about what is included in military budgets and off-budget military expenditure items. (For example, military budgets might or might not cover civil defense, reserves and auxiliary forces, police and paramilitary forces, dual-purpose forces such as military and civilian police, military grants in kind, pensions for military personnel, and social security contributions paid by one part of government to another.)
  • Manpower > Availability > Females per 1000: . Figures expressed per thousand population for the same year.
  • Manpower > Availability > Males per 1000: . Figures expressed per thousand population for the same year.
  • Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually > Males per thousand people: This entry is derived from Military > Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually, which gives the number of males and females entering the military manpower pool (i.e., reaching age 16) in any given year and is a measure of the availability of military-age young adults. Figures expressed per thousand people for the same year.
  • Manpower > Fit for military service > Males per 1000: . Figures expressed per thousand population for the same year.
  • Expenditures > Dollar figure, % of GDP: Current military expenditures in US dollars; the figure is calculated by multiplying the estimated defense spending in percentage terms by the gross domestic product (GDP) calculated on an exchange rate basis not purchasing power parity (PPP) terms. Dollar figures for military expenditures should be treated with caution because of different price patterns and accounting methods among nations, as well as wide variations in the strength of their currencies. Figures expressed as a proportion of GDP for the same year
STAT Iran Saudi Arabia HISTORY
Air force > Combat aircraft 407
Ranked 1st. 42% more than Saudi Arabia
287
Ranked 2nd.
Armed forces personnel 513,000
Ranked 8th. 3 times more than Saudi Arabia
202,000
Ranked 25th.
Army > Main battle tanks 2,895
Ranked 1st. 3 times more than Saudi Arabia
1,055
Ranked 2nd.
Battle-related deaths > Number of people 190
Ranked 19th. 95 times more than Saudi Arabia
2
Ranked 25th.

Budget 10 US$ BN
Ranked 2nd.
39.2 US$ BN
Ranked 1st. 4 times more than Iran
Expenditures > Percent of GDP 2.5%
Ranked 39th.
10%
Ranked 4th. 4 times more than Iran

Global Peace Index 2.47
Ranked 26th. 17% more than Saudi Arabia
2.12
Ranked 66th.

Military branches Islamic Republic of Iran Regular Forces (Artesh): Ground Forces, Navy, Air Force (IRIAF), Khatemolanbia Air Defense Headquarters; Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (Sepah-e Pasdaran-e Enqelab-e Eslami, IRGC): Ground Resistance Forces, Navy, Aerospace Force, Quds Force (special operations); Law Enforcement Forces Ministry of Defense and Aviation Forces: Royal Saudi Land Forces, Royal Saudi Naval Forces (includes Marine Forces and Special Forces), Royal Saudi Air Force (Al-Quwwat al-Jawwiya al-Malakiya as-Sa'udiya), Royal Saudi Air Defense Forces, Royal Saudi Strategic Rocket Forces, Saudi Arabian National Guard (SANG)
Military expenditures 2.5% of GDP
Ranked 11th.
9.1% of GDP
Ranked 3rd. 4 times more than Iran
Military service age and obligation 18 years of age for compulsory military service; 16 years of age for volunteers; 17 years of age for Law Enforcement Forces; 15 years of age for Basij Forces (Popular Mobilization Army); conscript military service obligation is 18 months; women exempt from military service 17 is the legal minimum age for voluntary military service; no conscription
Navy > Aircraft carriers 0.0
Ranked 1st.
0.0
Ranked 2nd.
Navy > Corvette warships 2
Ranked 2nd.
4
Ranked 1st. Twice as much as Iran
Paramilitary personnel 1.51 million
Ranked 1st. 97 times more than Saudi Arabia
15,500
Ranked 43th.
Personnel > Per capita 8.57 per 1,000 people
Ranked 36th.
9.34 per 1,000 people
Ranked 32nd. 9% more than Iran

Service age and obligation 19 years of age for compulsory military service; 16 years of age for volunteers; 17 years of age for Law Enforcement Forces; 15 years of age for Basij Forces (Popular Mobilization Army); conscript military service obligation - 18 months; women exempt from military service 18 years of age (est.); no conscription
Manpower fit for military service > Males age 16-49 None None
Personnel 585,000
Ranked 11th. 3 times more than Saudi Arabia
216,000
Ranked 29th.

Navy > Frigates 5
Ranked 2nd.
7
Ranked 1st. 40% more than Iran
Expenditures > Dollar figure per capita $62.73
Ranked 35th.
$824.73
Ranked 2nd. 13 times more than Iran

Branches Islamic Republic of Iran Regular Forces (Artesh): Ground Forces, Navy, Air Force of the Military of the Islamic Republic of Iran (Niru-ye Hava'i-ye Artesh-e Jomhuri-ye Eslami-ye Iran; includes air defense); Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (Sepah-e Pasdaran-e Enqelab-e Eslami, IRGC): Ground Forces, Navy, Air Force, Qods Force (special operations), and Basij Force (Popular Mobilization Army); Law Enforcement Forces Land Forces (Army), Navy, Air Force, Air Defense Force, National Guard, Ministry of Interior Forces (paramilitary)
Battle-related deaths > Number of people per million 2.52
Ranked 19th. 33 times more than Saudi Arabia
0.0772
Ranked 25th.

Manpower reaching military age annually > Males 715,111
Ranked 15th. 3 times more than Saudi Arabia
261,105
Ranked 45th.

Expenditures > Dollar figure $4.30 billion
Ranked 19th.
$18.00 billion
Ranked 5th. 4 times more than Iran

Weapon holdings 5.9 million
Ranked 14th. 23% more than Saudi Arabia
4.81 million
Ranked 22nd.
Armed forces personnel per 1000 7.78
Ranked 30th.
10.03
Ranked 22nd. 29% more than Iran
Manpower > Reaching military age annually > Males 766,668
Ranked 16th. 3 times more than Saudi Arabia
271,905
Ranked 43th.

Manpower available for military service > Males age 16-49 None None
Personnel per 1000 8.34
Ranked 37th.
8.75
Ranked 35th. 5% more than Iran

Expenditure > Current LCU 75954000000000 95146000000
Conscription <a href=/graph-T/mil_con>Conscription</a> exists (<a href=/encyclopedia/artificial-intelligence>AI</a>). There is no <a href=/graph-T/mil_con>conscription</a>.
Armed forces growth -16%
Ranked 87th.
222%
Ranked 7th.
Arms imports > Constant 1990 US$ 403 million constant 1990 US$
Ranked 17th.
470 million constant 1990 US$
Ranked 12th. 17% more than Iran

Expenditures 2.5% of GDP
Ranked 35th.
10% of GDP
Ranked 2nd. 4 times more than Iran
Military expenditures > Percent of GDP 2.5% of GDP
Ranked 29th.
10% of GDP
Ranked 2nd. 4 times more than Iran
Expenditures > Dollar figure > Per $ GDP $31.76 per 1,000 $ of GDP
Ranked 20th.
$95.46 per 1,000 $ of GDP
Ranked 4th. 3 times more than Iran

Weapon holdings per 1000 88.26
Ranked 56th.
230.24
Ranked 27th. 3 times more than Iran
Manpower fit for military service > Females age 16-49 None None
Arms > Exports > Constant 1990 US$ 1,000,000 constant 1990 US$
Ranked 42nd.
36 million constant 1990 US$
Ranked 22nd. 36 times more than Iran

Employment in arms > Production 40,000
Ranked 16th. 8 times more than Saudi Arabia
5,000
Ranked 44th.
Manpower fit for military service > Males age 18-49 15.67 million
Ranked 9th. 2 times more than Saudi Arabia
6.59 million
Ranked 20th.
Manpower available for military service > Males age 18-49 18.32 million
Ranked 13th. 2 times more than Saudi Arabia
7.65 million
Ranked 24th.
Manpower reaching military age annually > Males per thousand people 9.36
Ranked 104th. 1% more than Saudi Arabia
9.23
Ranked 108th.

Expenditures > Dollar figure > Per capita $64.77 per capita
Ranked 36th.
$833.75 per capita
Ranked 2nd. 13 times more than Iran

Conventional arms imports $283.00 million
Ranked 18th.
$838.00 million
Ranked 5th. 3 times more than Iran
Manpower > Availability > Males 20.21 million
Ranked 16th. 2 times more than Saudi Arabia
8.55 million
Ranked 37th.

Manpower > Military age 21 years of age 17 years of age
Manpower reaching military service age annually > Males age 18-49 862,056
Ranked 12th. 3 times more than Saudi Arabia
247,334
Ranked 36th.
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually > Males 715,111
Ranked 15th. 3 times more than Saudi Arabia
261,105
Ranked 45th.
Manpower available for military service > Females age 16-49 22628341 None
Arms imports > Constant 1990 US$ per capita 5.74 constant 1990 US$
Ranked 33th.
19.04 constant 1990 US$
Ranked 16th. 3 times more than Iran

Arms > Exports > Constant 1990 US$ > Per capita 14.86 constant 1990 US$ per 1
Ranked 42nd.
1,557.16 constant 1990 US$ per 1
Ranked 22nd. 105 times more than Iran

Manpower fit for military service > Females age 18-49 15.01 million
Ranked 9th. 3 times more than Saudi Arabia
4.66 million
Ranked 25th.
Manpower fit for military service > Males age 18-49 per 1000 218.16
Ranked 10th.
254.39
Ranked 3rd. 17% more than Iran
Employment in arms > Production per 1000 0.598
Ranked 37th. 2 times more than Saudi Arabia
0.239
Ranked 45th.
Manpower > Fit for military service > Males 17.42 million
Ranked 15th. 2 times more than Saudi Arabia
7.4 million
Ranked 32nd.

Manpower > Availability > Females 19.64 million
Ranked 14th. 3 times more than Saudi Arabia
6.38 million
Ranked 41st.

Manpower > Availability > Males age 15-49 20.34 million
Ranked 15th. 3 times more than Saudi Arabia
6.12 million
Ranked 45th.

Arms imports > Constant 1990 US$ > Per capita 5.91 constant 1990 US$ per c
Ranked 33th.
20.33 constant 1990 US$ per c
Ranked 14th. 3 times more than Iran

Manpower reaching military service age annually > Females age 18-49 per 1000 11.25
Ranked 13th. 24% more than Saudi Arabia
9.05
Ranked 49th.
Manpower available for military service > Males age 18-49 per 1000 255.11
Ranked 25th.
295.15
Ranked 5th. 16% more than Iran
Conventional arms imports per capita $5.02
Ranked 39th.
$51.71
Ranked 7th. 10 times more than Iran
Manpower reaching military age annually > Females per thousand people 9.1
Ranked 108th. 1% more than Saudi Arabia
8.98
Ranked 113th.
Manpower reaching military age annually > Females 677,372
Ranked 15th. 3 times more than Saudi Arabia
244,763
Ranked 46th.
Manpower > Fit for military service > Females 16.93 million
Ranked 14th. 3 times more than Saudi Arabia
5.53 million
Ranked 37th.

Manpower > Availability > Males age 15-49 per 1000 289.98
Ranked 17th. 17% more than Saudi Arabia
248.03
Ranked 89th.

Manpower > Fit for military service > Males age 15-49 12.09 million
Ranked 17th. 4 times more than Saudi Arabia
3.43 million
Ranked 51st.

Manpower available for military service > Females age 18-49 17.54 million
Ranked 12th. 3 times more than Saudi Arabia
5.42 million
Ranked 29th.
Iraq pledges of reconstruction aid $10.00 million
Ranked 20th.
$500.00 million
Ranked 4th. 50 times more than Iran
Manpower reaching military service age annually > Males age 18-49 per 1000 12
Ranked 18th. 26% more than Saudi Arabia
9.54
Ranked 66th.
Manpower reaching military service age annually > Females age 18-49 808,044
Ranked 9th. 3 times more than Saudi Arabia
234,500
Ranked 27th.
Conventional arms imports > Per $ GDP 0.548 per $1,000
Ranked 35th.
2.7 per $1,000
Ranked 13th. 5 times more than Iran
Iraq pledges of reconstruction aid > Per $ GDP $6.15 per $100,000 of GDP
Ranked 20th.
$199.56 per $100,000 of GDP
Ranked 4th. 32 times more than Iran
Manpower > Reaching military age annually > Females 727,654
Ranked 16th. 3 times more than Saudi Arabia
261,795
Ranked 43th.

Manpower > Reaching military age annually > Males per 1000 10.55
Ranked 83th. 2% more than Saudi Arabia
10.31
Ranked 89th.

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually > Female 677372 244763
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually > Male 715111 261105
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually > Females 677,372
Ranked 15th. 3 times more than Saudi Arabia
244,763
Ranked 46th.
Personnel > % of total labor force 2.12%
Ranked 33th.
2.9%
Ranked 18th. 37% more than Iran

Iraqi insurgency > Foreign fighter nationality distribution > Number per million 0.185
Ranked 12th.
1.3
Ranked 5th. 7 times more than Iran
Iraq pledges of reconstruction aid, % of GDP 0.0035%
Ranked 20th.
0.12%
Ranked 4th. 34 times more than Iran
Iraq pledges of reconstruction aid per capita $0.14
Ranked 29th.
$19.29
Ranked 6th. 139 times more than Iran
Iraqi insurgency > Foreign fighter nationality distribution > Number 13
Ranked 7th.
32
Ranked 4th. 2 times more than Iran
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually > Females per thousand people 9.1
Ranked 107th. 1% more than Saudi Arabia
8.98
Ranked 112th.
Arms > Exports > Constant 1990 US$ per capita 0.0144 constant 1990 US$
Ranked 42nd.
1.46 constant 1990 US$
Ranked 22nd. 101 times more than Iran

Conventional arms imports, % of GDP 0.244%
Ranked 33th.
0.718%
Ranked 18th. 3 times more than Iran
Manpower > Fit for military service > Males age 15-49 > Per capita 0.185 per capita
Ranked 73th.
0.21 per capita
Ranked 34th. 14% more than Iran

Manpower > Reaching military age annually > Females > Per capita 11.05 per 1,000 people
Ranked 58th. 19% more than Saudi Arabia
9.3 per 1,000 people
Ranked 113th.

Manpower > Availability > Males age 15-49 > Per capita 0.311 per capita
Ranked 8th.
0.366 per capita
Ranked 3rd. 18% more than Iran

Manpower > Reaching military age annually > Males > Per capita 11.64 per 1,000 people
Ranked 42nd. 20% more than Saudi Arabia
9.66 per 1,000 people
Ranked 117th.

Manpower fit for military service > Females age 18-49 per 1000 208.96
Ranked 16th. 16% more than Saudi Arabia
179.79
Ranked 50th.
Manpower > Reaching military age annually > Females per 1000 10.01
Ranked 86th. 1% more than Saudi Arabia
9.93
Ranked 91st.

Manpower > Fit for military service > Females per 1000 232.98
Ranked 17th. 11% more than Saudi Arabia
209.56
Ranked 53th.

Manpower > Fit for military service > Males age 15-49 per 1000 172.4
Ranked 80th. 24% more than Saudi Arabia
138.97
Ranked 116th.

Manpower available for military service > Females age 18-49 per 1000 244.27
Ranked 25th. 17% more than Saudi Arabia
209.06
Ranked 74th.
Expenditure > % of GDP 4.46%
Ranked 9th.
8.2%
Ranked 1st. 84% more than Iran

Manpower > Availability > Females per 1000 270.28
Ranked 26th. 12% more than Saudi Arabia
242.02
Ranked 75th.

Manpower > Availability > Males per 1000 278.17
Ranked 33th.
324.18
Ranked 5th. 17% more than Iran

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually > Males per thousand people 8.96
Ranked 116th.
9.69
Ranked 92nd. 8% more than Iran
Manpower > Fit for military service > Males per 1000 239.69
Ranked 19th.
280.6
Ranked 3rd. 17% more than Iran

Expenditures > Dollar figure, % of GDP 3.18%
Ranked 20th.
9.55%
Ranked 4th. 3 times more than Iran

SOURCES: Wikipedia: List of countries by level of military equipment (List); IISS (International Institute for Strategic Studies). 2001. The Military Balance 2001-2002. Oxford: Oxford University Press; Uppsala Conflict Data Program, http://www.pcr.uu.se/research/UCDP/.; All CIA World Factbooks 18 December 2003 to 18 December 2008; http://www.visionofhumanity.org/#/page/indexes/global-peace-index, Global Rankings. Vision of Humanity.; CIA World Factbooks 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013; Wikipedia: List of countries by number of military and paramilitary personnel (The list); World Development Indicators database; CIA World Factbooks 18 December 2003 to 28 March 2011; All CIA World Factbooks 18 December 2003 to 18 December 2008. Population figures from World Bank: (1) United Nations Population Division. World Population Prospects, (2) United Nations Statistical Division. Population and Vital Statistics Report (various years), (3) Census reports and other statistical publications from national statistical offices, (4) Eurostat: Demographic Statistics, (5) Secretariat of the Pacific Community: Statistics and Demography Programme, and (6) U.S. Census Bureau: International Database.; Uppsala Conflict Data Program, http://www.pcr.uu.se/research/UCDP/. Population figures from World Bank: (1) United Nations Population Division. World Population Prospects, (2) United Nations Statistical Division. Population and Vital Statistics Report (various years), (3) Census reports and other statistical publications from national statistical offices, (4) Eurostat: Demographic Statistics, (5) Secretariat of the Pacific Community: Statistics and Demography Programme, and (6) U.S. Census Bureau: International Database.; Bonn International Center for Conversion (BICC); IISS (International Institute for Strategic Studies). 2001. The Military Balance 2001-2002. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Population figures from World Bank: (1) United Nations Population Division. World Population Prospects, (2) United Nations Statistical Division. Population and Vital Statistics Report (various years), (3) Census reports and other statistical publications from national statistical offices, (4) Eurostat: Demographic Statistics, (5) Secretariat of the Pacific Community: Statistics and Demography Programme, and (6) U.S. Census Bureau: International Database.; World Development Indicators database. Population figures from World Bank: (1) United Nations Population Division. World Population Prospects, (2) United Nations Statistical Division. Population and Vital Statistics Report (various years), (3) Census reports and other statistical publications from national statistical offices, (4) Eurostat: Demographic Statistics, (5) Secretariat of the Pacific Community: Statistics and Demography Programme, and (6) U.S. Census Bureau: International Database.; Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Geneva, Switzerland, 1997. Data collected from the nations concerned, unless otherwise indicated. Acronyms: Amnesty International (AI); European Council of Conscripts Organizations (ECCO); Friends World Committee for Consultation (FWCC); International Helsinki Federation for Human Rights (IHFHR); National Interreligious Service Board for Conscientious Objectors (NISBCO); Service, Peace and Justice in Latin America (SERPAJ); War Resisters International (WRI); World Council of Churches (WCC); calculated on the basis of data on armed forces from IISS (International Institute for Strategic Studies). 2001. The Military Balance 2001-2002. Oxford: Oxford University Press; Bonn International Center for Conversion (BICC). Population figures from World Bank: (1) United Nations Population Division. World Population Prospects, (2) United Nations Statistical Division. Population and Vital Statistics Report (various years), (3) Census reports and other statistical publications from national statistical offices, (4) Eurostat: Demographic Statistics, (5) Secretariat of the Pacific Community: Statistics and Demography Programme, and (6) U.S. Census Bureau: International Database.; CIA World Factbook, 14 June, 2007; CIA World Factbooks 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013. Population figures from World Bank: (1) United Nations Population Division. World Population Prospects, (2) United Nations Statistical Division. Population and Vital Statistics Report (various years), (3) Census reports and other statistical publications from national statistical offices, (4) Eurostat: Demographic Statistics, (5) Secretariat of the Pacific Community: Statistics and Demography Programme, and (6) U.S. Census Bureau: International Database.; SIPRI (Stockholm International Peace Research Institute). 2005. SIPRI Arms Transfers. Database. February. Stockholm.; CIA World Factbook, 14 June, 2007. Population figures from World Bank: (1) United Nations Population Division. World Population Prospects, (2) United Nations Statistical Division. Population and Vital Statistics Report (various years), (3) Census reports and other statistical publications from national statistical offices, (4) Eurostat: Demographic Statistics, (5) Secretariat of the Pacific Community: Statistics and Demography Programme, and (6) U.S. Census Bureau: International Database.; CIA World Factbook, 28 July 2005; SIPRI (Stockholm International Peace Research Institute). 2005. SIPRI Arms Transfers. Database. February. Stockholm. Population figures from World Bank: (1) United Nations Population Division. World Population Prospects, (2) United Nations Statistical Division. Population and Vital Statistics Report (various years), (3) Census reports and other statistical publications from national statistical offices, (4) Eurostat: Demographic Statistics, (5) Secretariat of the Pacific Community: Statistics and Demography Programme, and (6) U.S. Census Bureau: International Database.; CIA World Factbook, 28 July 2005. Population figures from World Bank: (1) United Nations Population Division. World Population Prospects, (2) United Nations Statistical Division. Population and Vital Statistics Report (various years), (3) Census reports and other statistical publications from national statistical offices, (4) Eurostat: Demographic Statistics, (5) Secretariat of the Pacific Community: Statistics and Demography Programme, and (6) U.S. Census Bureau: International Database.; US Department of Defense. The Brookings Institution Iraq Index, April 24, 2006.; Alan B. Krueger: The National Origins of Foreign Fighters in IraqPrinceton University and NBER, 30 December 2006. Population figures from World Bank: (1) United Nations Population Division. World Population Prospects, (2) United Nations Statistical Division. Population and Vital Statistics Report (various years), (3) Census reports and other statistical publications from national statistical offices, (4) Eurostat: Demographic Statistics, (5) Secretariat of the Pacific Community: Statistics and Demography Programme, and (6) U.S. Census Bureau: International Database.; US Department of Defense. The Brookings Institution Iraq Index, April 24, 2006. GDP figures sourced from World Bank national accounts data, and OECD National Accounts data files.; US Department of Defense. The Brookings Institution Iraq Index, April 24, 2006. Population figures from World Bank: (1) United Nations Population Division. World Population Prospects, (2) United Nations Statistical Division. Population and Vital Statistics Report (various years), (3) Census reports and other statistical publications from national statistical offices, (4) Eurostat: Demographic Statistics, (5) Secretariat of the Pacific Community: Statistics and Demography Programme, and (6) U.S. Census Bureau: International Database.; Alan B. Krueger: The National Origins of Foreign Fighters in IraqPrinceton University and NBER, 30 December 2006.; SIPRI (Stockholm International Peace Research Institute). 2005. SIPRI Arms Transfers. Database. February. Stockholm. GDP figures sourced from World Bank national accounts data, and OECD National Accounts data files.; All CIA World Factbooks 18 December 2003 to 18 December 2008. GDP figures sourced from World Bank national accounts data, and OECD National Accounts data files.

Citation

2

Saudi Arabia and Iran are historic foes. Saudi, being predominantly Sunni, and Iran, being the center of Shiite Islam, consider themselves as the champions of their own respective religions. While they have had no direct armed confrontations, they have certainly engaged in numerous diplomatic squabbles and war of words. This has worsened when Saudi openly gave its support to the rebels fighting the Assad regime in Syria, long considered as Iran’s closest ally. As such, a military conflict between the two countries is not a question of ‘if,’ it is a question of ‘when.’

Economically, Saudi Arabia has a long lead over Iran. Saudi’s economy is driven by its massive oil and petroleum deposits (Saudi is the second largest oil producer in the world). Iran, too, has massive oil fields, but production is extremely hampered by technological backlog and by Western sanctions brought about by Iranian nuclear development, long suspected to veil nuclear weapons’ development.

Militarily, the two countries are not far apart, with Iran taking a small lead over the Kingdom. The economic and military isolation of the country due to the US-led sanctions has not caused Iran to cower and give in to foreign pressure; instead, it has made itself militarily independent by developing and creating ingenious weapons systems. In sheer size, Iran’s military is pretty massive with its army three times the size as that of Saudi’s. The Iranian army is equipped with numerous locally-developed Zulfiqar tanks. Saudi’s tank arsenal does not have as many, but they are comprised mostly of the technologically-superior and battle-tested American M1 Abrams. Saudi is one of the world’s biggest military spenders, and it has purchased the most advanced military hardware from the US, UK, France, China, among others.

The Iranian navy, too, has numerical superiority. However, numerical superiority nowadays is hardly synonymous with overall power. Saudi’s navy is nearly a fifth the size of Iran’s, but the former’s navy is well equipped with technologically-advanced ships and naval aircraft.

Saudi has invested much on its air force. Currently, its air force is among Middle-East’s most formidable forces with its arsenal of F-15s and Eurotyphoons. It is also on the track to buy the coveted F-35 Multi-Role Joint Strike Fighter of the US. Iran has a sizeable air force, but it is equipped with an ageing fleet of F-14 Tomcats.

Posted on 07 Apr 2014

Edsel.G

Edsel.G

247 Stat enthusiast

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