Saudi Coast Guard (SCG)

The Saudi Coast Guard (SCG) is the smaller element of the Saudi Border Guards Directorate, the larger being the land-based Frontier Force focuses on only a very small proportion of this area. Keypoint defence is the priority, and the SCG focuses on providing adequate security screening for key ports, desalination facilities and petroleum export facilities. Though large by regional standards, the Coast Guard requires enlargement, modernisation, and integration with other armed services the Royal Saudi Naval Forces (RSNF) and Royal Saudi Air Forces (RSAF). Only an extensive integrated system of coastal radars, maritime patrol aircraft and fast 24-hour reaction forces will be able to stem the extensive smuggling traffic on the Red Sea coast.

Saudi Arabia only has four Al-Jouf fast inshore patrol boats, another two Seaguard fast patrol boats, and eight other assorted fast craft. Nor can the RSNF give meaningful assistance, adding only another 39 slow inshore patrol boats and 17 larger and even slower inshore patrol boats. The SCG has around 500 inshore patrol boats, though GSN was told by French contractors that many are well beyond their out of service dates. Even with this number, the Kingdom cannot maintain sufficient patrols to dominate its coastal waters. This is partly due to a manpower shortage: the SCG has only 4,500 personnel and reputedly does not attract the best recruits. The Saudi Border Guard Development Program generally dubbed Miksa, acronym for the Ministry of Interior Kingdom of Saudi Arabia) has downplayed coastal security, even though the 1994 concept developed by Thompson CSF (now Thales) envisaged policing a security zone in territorial waters. Such a zone would need to protect 2,640km of coastline, including around 1,700km of Red Sea coastal waters.

Border Guard tasks are guarding the border land and sea ports and harbors and anti-smuggling and sneak inside and out with the regulations; early warning of any unusual movements at the border or near it; search and rescue and guidance and aid marine media; lost in the border area guidance and assist them; monitor all from existing district land and maritime boundary to ensure sensitivity to established rules and regulations; policing in seaports; and cooperation with official bodies in the scope of the regulations and the public interest in the task border guards.

King Abdul Aziz Abdul Allah began the idea of a center for maritime surveillance patrols of the wild Eastern region in 1331 (a small driving glider ships along the beach backed by camel riders patrol observation on the coast). In 1344 a Coast Guard was founded, which started organizing patrols, ports and harbors. In the year 1347 a port and Harbor patrol began under a unified leadership on behalf of the coast guard in Jeddah. Work was confined to the Red Sea coast where patrolling either on foot or by camel. This took control within the Kingdom for contraband and prohibited items. Maritime patrols monitored coastlines within territorial waters. In 1353 a coast guard Directorate scheme, which included all the provisions concerning the responsibilities and duties of the coast guard system caused internal Ministry interest. In 1355 Coast Guard was formed in the Eastern region.

Founded in 1382, the frontier Corps combined all of the coast guard to the East and the coast guard after grandmother are merged and became known as the General Directorate of Border Force and Coast Guard and ports. In 1394, Royal Decree No. m/26 and 24/6/1394h approval of border security system based on the decision of the Council of Ministers No. 923 date 19/6/1394 device and is named (DG Corps.

In 1390 Royal Highness Interior Minister no. 2 o/7074 and date 26/9/1390 to assign responsibility for border service guard and protect all UK seaports instead of public security. In 1412 e decision Highness Interior Minister no. 85/5/o h and 1/8/1412 h. amending regulations for border security system. In 1414, a Royal Decree No. m/9 and 16/7/1414 to approve distinguished Ministers Council resolution No. 76, date 14/7/1414 to modify the name of the General Directorate of border force to General Directorate of frontier.