AlYamamah

Al-Yamamah is the codename commonly used to refer to a long-running series of defense deals between the United Kingdom and Saudi Arabia, centered on the British aerospace firm BAE Systems. The name derives from the Arabic word for dove. Initiated in the mid-1980s, the program encompassed the sale of military aircraft, weapons, and related maintenance and support services to the Saudi armed forces, established as a broad framework for ongoing defense procurement and after-sales cooperation.

Historically, Al-Yamamah marked one of the most extensive arms deals of its era, involving high-value contracts and long-term service arrangements. The program contributed to modernization of the Saudi air force and other branches, while providing a major source of revenue for BAE Systems and the wider UK defense industry. It also helped shape the industrial and diplomatic relationship between the two countries, influencing procurement practices and export policies in the United Kingdom.

The scale and secrecy surrounding the deals generated significant controversy. Al-Yamamah became the focus of allegations and investigations concerning bribery and corruption in arms sales. In the mid-2000s, the United Kingdom’s Serious Fraud Office opened inquiries related to the arrangements; these investigations faced political and legal complexities, including issues of state immunity and international cooperation, and were eventually halted or curtailed.

Today, Al-Yamamah remains a reference point in discussions of international arms trade ethics, regulatory governance, and the long-term impact of large defense procurement programs on national industry and foreign policy.