U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth met with Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Defense, Prince Khalid bin Salman Al Saud on February 24, 2025 for bilateral talks at the Pentagon. The session highlighted the enduring strategic cooperation between the two countries, with a particular emphasis on regional security, stability, and fighting terrorism across the region.
As part of the discussion, Secretary Hegseth stressed the critical significance of the U.S.-Saudi defense connection, citing the long-standing cooperation between both countries on security issues in the Middle East. He particularly referenced the collaboration that took place during the Trump government, where both governments functioned closely together to promote regional peace. Hegseth stressed joint defense initiatives and counterterrorism measures that were instrumental in protecting not only the U.S. and its partners but also reducing the threat posed by extremist outfits.
The bilateral discussions also concentrated heavily on strengthening joint counterterrorism measures, as both countries have been at the forefront of countering radical extremist associations in the Middle East. Saudi Arabia, as a prominent country in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), has been an important partner in measures to combat terrorism in the region, with a special focus on countering al-Qaeda, the Islamic State (ISIS), and other terror cells working in and outside the Arabian Peninsula.
Prince Khalid and Hegseth reaffirmed their cooperation on current counterterrorism operations, examining new avenues for improved intelligence-sharing, military training agendas, and the development of defense technologies to assure that both governments are prepared to deal with future threats. Saudi Arabia’s role in the Middle East, as a major player in the GCC, makes it an important partner in U.S.-led counterterrorism measures, especially in the struggle against Iran-backed groups and other outfits destabilizing the region.
Both ministers also mentioned the evolution of the U.S.-Saudi defense cooperation, an arrangement that has been in place for decades. While the connection has long been embedded in defense partnership, the partnership has supported in recent years, particularly under the Trump government. Over the course of this period, the two nations developed a series of high-profile defense contracts, including arms deals and joint military drills. Hegseth emphasized that their partnership has been critical to ensuring the security of vital infrastructure, such as oil fields and critical shipping routes in the Persian Gulf, which are important not only for Saudi Arabia but for global economic strength.
As they looked to the future, both defense ministers examined modernizing their focus to address growing security issues, particularly the advancement of new threats such as unmanned systems, cyber warfare and advanced missile technologies. Both countries have made considerable investments in updating their military powers, with Saudi Arabia being one of the biggest recipients of U.S. technological advances in recent years. This includes aircraft, advanced missile defense systems, and naval investments, which are necessary for the kingdom’s protection against regional threats. Hegseth and Prince Khalid acknowledged the significance of continuing to improve interoperability between their forces via joint military training and the application of cutting-edge technologies like cybersecurity measures and artificial intelligence.
The discussion between Secretary Hegseth and Prince Khalid stressed the vital and evolving defense connection between the U.S. and Saudi Arabia. Both countries reaffirmed their commitment to performing together to foster regional stability, improve security cooperation, and fight terrorism in the Middle East. The discussions not only strengthened their long-standing defense relations but also drafted a shared vision for managing future challenges in an increasingly complicated geopolitical landscape. With joint security objectives at the forefront, the U.S.-Saudi cooperation remains a cornerstone of Middle Eastern defense plans, with both nations poised to deepen their cooperation in the years to come.
