Saudi Arabia allows women to join military

Dubai: Saudi women will now be able to join the Saudi Arabian Army, Royal Saudi Air Defence, Royal Saudi Navy, Royal Saudi Strategic Missile Force, and Armed Forces Medical Services, Al Arabiya reported.

The Saudi Ministry of Defence announced that men and women in the Kingdom can now apply for positions in the military through their unified admission portal. Women can be recruited as soldiers, lance corporals, corporals, sergeants, and staff sergeants, according to the ministry.

The move comes under Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s Vision 2030 initiative, introducing reforms that allow Saudi women to advance in various fields.

To join the armed forces, a woman must be between the age of 21 and 40, be 155 centimetres tall or above, and cannot be a government employee.

She must also pass admission procedures, have a clean record, and be medically fit for service.

A Saudi  woman must also hold an independent national identity card, have at least a high school education, and cannot be married to a non-Saudi.

For male citizens wanting to join the armed forces, they must be between the ages of 17 and 40 and be a minimum of 160 centimetres tall.

They must also pass admission procedures, have a clean criminal record, and prove that they are medically fit for service.