RIYADH: In a significant step toward strengthening regional military cooperation, Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Defense announced on Saturday that a military force from Pakistan has arrived at King Abdulaziz Air Base in Dhahran, according to Arab News.
According to the ministry, the deployment is part of efforts to reinforce the mutual defense pact signed between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia in September 2025, a landmark agreement that marked a new phase in the long-standing strategic partnership between the two countries.
The Saudi statement said the Pakistani contingent includes fighter jets as well as support aircraft from the Pakistan Air Force. The force has been sent with the purpose of improving joint military coordination and increasing the operational readiness of the armed forces of both nations.
Officials described the move as a practical expression of the “brotherly ties” that have long connected Riyadh and Islamabad. The arrival of the Pakistani aircraft is expected to support joint defense exercises, strengthen air combat coordination, and enhance the ability of both countries to respond swiftly to regional security challenges.
Pak-Saudi Defense Pact
The Pakistan-Saudi mutual defense pact, signed in September 2025, serves as the foundation for this deployment. The agreement focuses on military cooperation, intelligence sharing, joint training, and coordinated defense preparedness. It reflects the shared commitment of both nations to regional stability and mutual security.
This latest deployment is being viewed as one of the first major operational steps under the pact, signaling deeper trust and closer defense relations between the two allies.
As tensions and strategic concerns continue to shape the Middle East and South Asian regions, this cooperation underscores the importance both countries place on collective security and defense partnership.
