Saudi Arabia’s geostrategic position is determined by its access to the Red Sea and the Persian Gulf, and therefore to the region’s main maritime commu nications. This makes the Kingdom an important player in the global trade and logistics system. The Saudi Vision 2030 economic diversification program pays special attention to this. The purpose of this study is to determine the features of Saudi Arabia’s potential as a regional sea power. The theoretical framework of the study is formed on the basis of studying numerous approaches to the interpretation of “sea power”. It considers how various theoretical schools in the field of international relations approach the definition of key components of the status of a sea power, as well as how the position of a sea power is characterized by international indexes. The maritime policy of Saudi Arabia is considered using the identified criteria of “sea power”. It is argued that Saudi Arabia has real potential to become a regional sea power, the most important condition for this being the implementation of the Saudi Vision 2030 program. The key obstacle on this path is the qualitative and quantitative characteristics of its own naval forces, which are necessary for the protection of non-military maritime activities and for promoting influence in the region.
sea power, Saudi Arabia, Saudi Vision 2030.