Posted on 08/27/2007 1:36:56 AM PDT by bruinbirdman
Saudi Arabia has begun setting up a 35,000-strong security force to protect its oil infrastructure from potential attacks, the Financial Times reported.
The force already numbers about 5,000 personnel. They are being trained in the use of new surveillance equipment, countermeasures and crisis management under a programme managed by US defence group Lockheed Martin (nyse: LMT), the newspaper quoted a Saudi adviser as saying.
The move underlines the kingdom's growing concern about its oil installations after threats from al-Qaeda to attack facilities in the Gulf, as well as rising tensions between Iran and the US.
Lockheed said it did not have information on the initiative, the newspaper added.
I think we can be pretty confident it won’t be Saudi citizens in any but senior officer positions. Too much work for the Princes to bother themselves with it.
I find the thought comfortable that Saudi Arabia’s economy and security forces are manned by Phillipinos, Bangladeshis, Malaysians etc. rather than real Saudis.
Somehow the Saudis don’t instill fear in ones soul as a security force. Now the Turkish military have a reputation as being bad asses.
I see you see the truth of things :-).
Oil money pick up a tool? Never.
SANG is officered entirely by Saudi’s. The question is more along the lines of the loyalty of the troops.
You are pretty accurate there. I lived in Seoul for a year with a Marine unit near by. I watched them train and they are tough.
Still I’d take the U.S.M.C. any time.
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