Tornado jets - game changer in Saudi Arabia's military arsenal

BulgarianMilitary.com announces that Saudi Arabia’s Tornado IDS fighter jets stand out for their advanced capabilities and significant role in modern warfare.

Thus, Saudi Arabia is strengthening its military and intergovernmental ties with Pakistan through participation in the Indus Shield 2024 exercise. The Royal Saudi Arabian Air Force (RSAF) has deployed six Panavia Tornado Tactical Strike Fighter (IDS) aircraft for this joint effort. In addition to Saudi Arabia and Pakistan, Egypt and Turkey are also sending their fighter jets to participate.  

The Indus Shield 2024 exercise aims to enhance military collaboration and facilitate knowledge sharing among the air forces of Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Egypt, and Türkiye. The event is intended to demonstrate the capabilities, professionalism, and readiness of the Saudi Air Force, while also providing crucial combat experience for air and support crews in scenarios involving irregular and electronic warfare. Turkey is contributing F-16 fighters, while Egypt has chosen to deploy its Mirage 2000s. Saudi Arabia's choice to deploy Tornado IDS aircraft for this exercise is deliberate. Known for their capabilities in ground strikes and tactical support, the Tornado IDS aircraft provide significant advantages due to their versatility and effectiveness in complex combat environments. 

As a key player in the region, Saudi Arabia is eager to demonstrate and strengthen its military capabilities, particularly in response to rising threats from terrorism and conflicts in the Middle East.   Participating in a multinational exercise offers the Saudi Air Force a valuable opportunity to exchange knowledge and learn from other nations' air forces. The exercise involves practical maneuvers, allowing officers to observe how different countries implement the latest technologies and strategies in their operations. This is particularly important for Saudi Arabia, which is heavily investing in modernizing its military and adapting to current combat challenges.  

Saudi Arabia’s ambitions go beyond merely displaying military strength; they also aim to strengthen international alliances. Through these exercises, Riyadh seeks to adopt new operational strategies and enhance coordination among various military units, which is essential for maintaining regional stability. Saudi Arabia utilizes Tornado IDS (Interdictor/Strike) fighter jets, recognized for their impressive technical specifications. Each aircraft is approximately 16.72 meters long, has a wingspan of 14.80 meters, and stands 5.56 meters tall. Powered by two RB199 turbojet engines, these jets can achieve speeds of Mach 2.2 (about 2,340 km/h) and have a combat radius of around 550 km.

The engines provide substantial power and maneuverability, making the Tornado IDS a highly effective multi-role strike aircraft.   The Tornado IDS is equipped with advanced guidance and navigation systems, including GPS, Inertial Navigation Systems (INS), and Doppler radar, all of which enhance weapon accuracy and navigation capabilities. The aircraft features thermal and optical sensors to support its electronic warfare capabilities and is armed with a diverse range of weapons, including various bombs, guided missiles, and short-range missiles.   Throughout its service, the Tornado IDS has received multiple updates to enhance its combat capabilities. These improvements focus on reconnaissance and fire control systems, allowing for the integration of advanced sensors and weaponry.

Notable upgrades in electronic warfare and navigation technologies have significantly enhanced the aircraft’s performance in real-world combat situations.   The Saudi Arabian Tornado IDS has seen actual combat, particularly during the 1991 Gulf War, where it participated in numerous operations and completed around 650 sorties. Despite the loss of one aircraft, the successful missions highlighted the Tornado IDS’s capabilities and reinforced Saudi Arabia’s confidence in its combat effectiveness.

By Naila Huseynova