Saudi Arabia drone capacity

Non-NATO

Fleet estimate2025

unknown

Not disclosed

Source: IISS Military Balance — operation confirmed; no consolidated published fleet count ↗

Manufacturer count2025

unknown

Not disclosed

Source: IISS Military Balance — no authoritative count ↗

Defense drone budget (€)2025

unknown

Not disclosed

Source: SIPRI Military Expenditure Database — Saudi Arabia total military expenditure $80.3bn (2024, 7th largest globally, +1.5%; SIPRI); no drone-specific budget ↗

Notable systems2025

high

CH-4, Wing Loong II (Chinese, operated)

Source: New America, World of Drones — purchased CH-4 / CAIG Wing Loong II, Wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CAIG_Wing_Loong_II) [system ID] ↗

Combat use indicator2025

high

Confirmed — Saudi-led coalition used CH-4 and Wing Loong II against the Houthis in Yemen

Source: RUSI, Armed Drones in the Middle East / New America, World of Drones (https://www.newamerica.org/future-security/reports/world-drones/) ↗

Export status2025

low

Not an exporter — importer/operator

Source: New America, World of Drones ↗

Indigenous production2025

low

Limited — primarily imported (China); nascent local ambitions (SAMI)

Source: New America, World of Drones ↗

Metrics not listed above are not yet assessed for Saudi Arabia — distinct from “Not disclosed”, which means a metric was assessed but no figure is published.

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