Saudi Arabia spends £56 billion a year on its insane military - here's what that kind of money buys

Ben Moshinsky,Will MartinFeb 19, 2016, 21:26 IST

Members of Saudi security forces take part in a military parade in preparation for the annual Haj pilgrimage in the holy city of Mecca September 17, 2015.Ahmad Masood/REUTERS

When British Aerospace Engineering, better known as BAE Systems, announced a bumper set of annual results this week, much of that success was down to the lavish spending of the Saudi air force.

The Persian Gulf state took delivery of £800 million ($1.14 billion) worth of BAE's Eurofighter Typhoon jet during 2015, boosting its airborne presence and the coffers of BAE. It is set to buy even more this year.

But it's not just British-made planes that Saudi Arabia buys. In fact, it has one of the best-funded defence forces in the Middle East.

The kingdom spends 25% of its budget, or about £56 billion ($80 billion), on its military. That is about double what it spends on health and social development.

It has been throwing its weight around recently, engaging in a war in Yemen and joining forces with Turkey against Syrian President Bashar Assad.

So here's what all that money has bought it:

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Saudi Arabia spends £56 billion a year on its insane military - here's what that kind of money buys