Saudi Arabia and Iran Hold Historic Joint Naval Drill in Sea of Oman.

According to information published by TRT World on October 23, 2024, the Royal Saudi Naval Forces recently concluded a joint naval exercise with the Iranian Naval Forces in the Sea of Oman, as confirmed by Saudi Defence Ministry spokesperson Brigadier General Turki al-Malki. This unprecedented exercise saw Saudi Arabia and Iran, historically estranged for nearly a decade, come together.
Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link

Artist rendering of a joint maritime drills between Saudi Arabia and Iran. (Picture source: Generated by AI)

The Navies of Iran and Saudi Arabia are shaped by distinct strategic needs, resources, and alliances, and each brings unique strengths to its regional maritime presence.

Iran fields a significantly larger navy with approximately 272 vessels, including 19 submarines, primarily built for fast, versatile operations in the Persian Gulf. This fleet is heavily invested in asymmetric warfare tactics, relying on fast-attack craft and midget submarines to operate in narrow waters. The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy (IRGCN) exemplifies this approach, using small, agile boats and missile-equipped vessels to challenge larger, technologically superior navies through anti-access/area denial (A2/AD) tactics.

In contrast, Saudi Arabia’s navy is more compact, with around 34 ships, including 11 frigates and nine corvettes. Unlike Iran, Saudi Arabia focuses on advanced, high-tech vessels supplied largely by Western allies, notably the United States and Europe. This focus on technologically superior assets aligns with Saudi Arabia’s strategic priorities in protecting its Red Sea coastline, securing maritime trade routes, and safeguarding oil exports. While Saudi Arabia lacks submarines, which limits its undersea capabilities, its emphasis on quality over quantity is supported by a substantial military budget of $69 billion, compared to Iran’s $25 billion​.

Iran’s naval strategy focuses on leveraging its naval strength to deter U.S. forces and influence Gulf maritime routes. This strategy includes partnerships with nations like Russia and emphasizes control over the Strait of Hormuz, a vital oil transit route. Iran’s use of guerrilla naval tactics, such as swarm tactics with small boats, poses a significant challenge to traditional maritime powers within the Gulf’s constrained geography​.

Saudi Arabia, on the other hand, is deeply integrated with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and maintains strong Western alliances, especially with the U.S. These partnerships enable Saudi Arabia to pursue a defense strategy centered on securing regional stability and countering Iranian influence. Recent diplomatic developments, including improving relations with Iran, suggest potential cooperation, such as joint naval exercises, which could foster new dynamics in the region’s maritime security​.