Saudi Defence Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman on Thursday held talks in Riyadh with Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces, Field Marshal Asim Munir, reaffirming strong relations between the two countries and their strategic defence partnership.
In a post on X on Thursday, Prince Khalid said the meeting focused on strengthening bilateral military ties and advancing joint efforts to promote global peace and security in line with the shared interests of Riyadh and Islamabad.
The talks come amid heightened regional tensions in the Middle East, as Riyadh and Islamabad maintain close coordination across defence and security matters.
On Wednesday, Pakistan’s Minister of State for Interior, Talal Chaudhry, met Saudi Deputy Interior Minister Abdulaziz bin Mohammed bin Ayyaf in Riyadh and agreed to enhance cooperation in security and counterterrorism.
Pakistan has long provided military support to the kingdom, including training and advisory deployments, while Saudi Arabia has repeatedly stepped in to support Pakistan financially during periods of economic stress.
In 2018, Riyadh announced a $6 billion support package for Pakistan, including a $3 billion deposit at the central bank and $3 billion worth of oil supplies on deferred payment.
Saudi Arabia has since rolled over deposits multiple times, including a $1.2 billion deferment last year, helping Islamabad stabilise its foreign exchange reserves amid chronic balance-of-payments pressures.
Pakistan has in recent months stepped up defence outreach as it seeks to expand arms exports and monetise its domestic defence industry.
In September, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan inked the Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement, pledging that "any aggression against either country shall be considered an aggression against both."
Riyadh and Islamabad agreed on a "deterrence umbrella" that allows both nations to use their full military capabilities without exception.
The agreement seeks to "enhance security, achieve peace in the region and the world, aim to develop aspects of defence cooperation between the two countries and strengthen joint deterrence against any aggression."
Last month, reports emerged that Pakistan and Saudi Arabia were in talks to convert about $2 billion of Saudi loans into a JF-17 fighter jet deal.
The JF-17’s marketability has been increased because "it is tested and has been used in combat," experts told Reuters, adding that it's also cost-effective.
Pakistan has said the aircraft was deployed during its conflict with India in May last year, the heaviest fighting between the neighbours in decades.
Last month, Pakistani minister Raza Hayat Harra said that a Pakistan–Saudi Arabia–Türkiye trilateral agreement is also already in the pipeline.
