Saudi Arabia has increased its air force pilots' salary by up to 60 percent shortly after its bombing campaign against Yemen enters its third year.
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According to the Saudi Press Agency on Monday, the kingdom’s cabinet amended regulations pertaining to a 35-percent increase in basic salaries of all air force pilots and weapons operators. It added that officers who fly fighter jets or operate their weapons systems will be receiving a 60-percent pay increase.
No explanation was given for the move by the Saudi cabinet, which has over the last few months been implementing austerity measures.
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Riyadh is currently dealing with economic struggles brought on by a budget deficit of nearly $100 billion caused by a sharp slump in oil prices as well as Riyadh’s rising army expenditure, a large amount of which is being funneled into its military campaign against Yemen.
