Saudi Arabia has two separate armies, both are staffed by full time professionals. The oldest of these is Saudi Arabian National Guard (or SANG). This is the original tribal levies that the Saud family used to conquer Arabia in the 1920s and 30s. It's missions include patrolling the borders, protecting the Royal Family and guarding critical sites (oil and industrial sites and the Holy Mosques in Mecca and Medina). Each force is commanded by a different member of the royal family. The Saudi Army (Royal Saudi Land Forces, or RSLF) is a part of the Ministry of Defense and Aviation under Prince Sultan., while SANG is controlled by the Prince Regent, Abdullah. 

SANG has three elements. The first element is the Modernized forces, which consists of several mechanized infantry battalions equipped with LAV-25s and Cadillac Gage V-150s armored cars. SANG is not allowed to have tracked vehicles (tanks and APCs). The King Abdul Aziz Brigade (riding V-150s) was one of the principal forces in the retaking of Khafji during Desert Storm. The LAV-25s were introduced starting in 1993. The second element are the non-modernized forces. These are several light infantry battalions which guard specific locations. They are equipped light infantry weapons, including mortars, Carl Gustavs anti-tank missiles and the like. They do have enough trucks to move the battalions quickly anywhere in the kingdom. The final element is the Fouj. They are an irregular force which, in days gone by, was literally Bedouins on horse or camel with Martini Rifles of the Zulu wars. Now, they are equipped with pickup trucks, some heavier transport and light infantry weapons. They live near the borders and patrol them. Many of these Bedouins come from families that move about, and across, the borders with their herds or to trade in any event and are well acquainted with the areas they operate in.

The RSLF is equipped like a modern army, with tanks, artillery and missiles. Many rural Bedouins also serve in the RSLF, but only Bedouins serve in the SANG. A Saudi guardsman is a personal retainer of the king, a RSLF soldier is in the service of the kingdom. It's an important difference in this part of the world, for the SANG is nothing less than the .the kings private army.