On February 24th, 2025, US and Saudi Arabian representatives met. US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and the Defense Minister of Saudi Arabia Prince Khalid bin Salman focused on counter-terrorism strategies for the Middle East region. The two countries are together determined to maintain regional stability.

Hegseth reflected on the Saudi-US historical alliance, particularly under Trump’s first term as president. In addition, the two nations are cooperating on a security program.

The US Defense Secretary emphasized the value of cooperative defense programs during the discussion. He believes that the programs are critical to addressing various security issues.

These partnerships are a crucial part of discrediting terrorist groups and reducing threats within the region. The session reaffirmed both countries’ firm commitment to continue collaborating on defense and security matters.

How do both nations combat terrorism?

The US-Saudi meeting focused on enhancing counterterrorism efforts against terrorist groups in the Middle East. In the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), Saudi Arabia is an important member. It is devoted to regional security and combating various terror issues.

Hegseth and Prince Khalid reiterated their commitment to intelligence sharing, military training, and advanced defense technologies. The judicious location of ‌Saudi Arabia makes it a valuable partner of the United States. 

Saudi Arabia is moving ahead to strengthen its military with ‌advanced weapons from the US.

The defense alliance between Saudi Arabia and the US has grown over the years, with a boost from Trump’s experience as president. The growth was driven by defense deals, arms sales, and joint military exercises. With the US-Saudi Arabia partnership, Persian Gulf oil fields and shipping lanes, which are crucial to international trade and economic stability, could help protect key infrastructure. Their cooperation also promotes security and stability in different areas.

One of the major purchases was the THAAD missile defense system. It can also help Saudi Arabia ‌shelter the region against missile threats, particularly from Iran. 

This deal is worth billions. It is part of Saudi Arabia’s plan to improve its defense against ballistic and cruise missiles.

Air defense and cooperation with US forces

In the future, the US will give a big surprise to Saudi Arabia as F-15EX fighter jets. These jets help to improve ‌air defense and cooperation with ‌US forces. 

Furthermore, the defense partnership between these two nations is also getting stronger due to some past purchases. It includes Patriot missile systems, Apache helicopters, and naval systems. 

The meeting ‌also covered many ‌Middle East security matters. The joint work of the US and Saudi Arabia is to counter Iran, especially in Yemen. Both defense ministers highlighted the importance of this collaboration to prevent future threats. 

The military collaboration between these two nations is due to tackle new threats such as cyber crimes. Both countries have made heavy investments in the defense and security sectors. At the same time, Saudi Arabia is purchasing modern military technologies from the US such as missile defense systems, aircraft, and naval assets. All of this purchasing is important to save the Kingdom from terror threats. 

Looking for the future, both countries will work together to fight against terrorism. This partnership plays an important role in improving regional stability. Saudi Arabia and the US shared their combined vision to solve future security challenges. 

As threats evolve, their military collaboration will continue to grow, ensuring both countries remain key players in Middle Eastern defense strategy.