THE visit of the Saudi Military Chief, General Fayyadh bin Hamed Al-Ruwaili, to Pakistan accompanied by senior members of his defence team, marks a major step forward in the evolving strategic partnership between Pakistan and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
The high-level engagement comes in the backdrop of the landmark Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement (SMDA) signed on September 17, 2025, which formally institutionalized defence cooperation between the two brotherly states. The pact provides a comprehensive framework for joint deterrence, collaborative security initiatives and expanded military-to-military cooperation.
During General Al-Ruwaili’s meeting with Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff, General Asim Munir, both sides discussed matters of mutual interest with particular emphasis on strengthening long-standing defence cooperation. The two military leaders reaffirmed the importance of enhancing joint security mechanisms, counter-terrorism collaboration and operational coordination; pillars that have historically underpinned the Pak-Saudi relationship. General Al-Ruwaili lauded Pakistan’s unwavering cooperation with the Saudi Armed Forces and expressed his commitment to further deepening the defence partnership.
The visit also coincided with the conclusion of the Pak–Saudi joint military exercise Al-Battar II in Tabuk, conducted from November 18 to 26. Pakistan’s Special Services Group (SSG) and corresponding Saudi units rehearsed complex counter-terrorism maneuvers aimed at improving interoperability and sharpening combat preparedness. Counter-terrorism has remained a central focus of both countries, given the threat posed by extremist networks across the region. Over the past two decades, this shared threat perception has significantly expanded bilateral military cooperation, leading to a series of joint exercises, doctrinal exchanges and coordinated training initiatives. Earlier, “Operation North Thunder,” held under Saudi leadership, brought together a large multinational force with Pakistan playing a key operational role.
The foundations of Pak-Saudi relations are historical, civilizational and deeply sentimental. Their affinity predates the oil-rich era of the Kingdom, dispelling the misconception that economic interests alone define the relationship. The spiritual bond created by the holy cities of Makkah and Madinah has been a principal emotional anchor that reinforces this timeless partnership. Economically, too, Pakistan has had a defining influence on Saudi Arabia’s early institutional development. Notably, Pakistani economist Anwar Ali served as Governor of the Saudi Arabian Monetary Agency (now the Saudi Central Bank) from 1958 to 1974. Under his stewardship, the Kingdom’s financial structure was modernized and the foundations of future economic expansion were laid. On the strategic front, Pakistan has historically maintained a central position in Saudi Arabia’s defence calculus. Since the 1960s, Pakistan’s armed forces have provided training, advisory assistance and operational support to the Kingdom. Pakistani military trainers have played a vital role in the development of Saudi armed forces and officers from all three Saudi services continue to attend Pakistan’s premier military courses ranging from mid-career programmes to advanced national security studies.
During the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s, Pakistan stationed a sizeable military contingent in Saudi Arabia to deter external aggression. During Operation Desert Storm (1991), a full Pakistani division was deployed to protect the Holy Mosques and safeguard the Kingdom from potential threats. Pakistani officers and soldiers are still providing military training to Saudi Military units on a regular basis. These engagements demonstrate that practical cooperation preceded any formal framework, making the 2025 SMDA a natural institutional progression. The Military cooperative mechanism will further enhance after SMDA and the visit of Saudi Chief of General Staff.
Throughout the Cold War and beyond, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have often found themselves aligned on key geopolitical issues. Their cooperation during the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan was a defining moment, contributing to the eventual withdrawal of Soviet forces. Following the 9/11 attacks, both states worked closely to stabilize Afghanistan and prevent further regional turmoil. German scholar Guido Steinberg described Pakistan as “Saudi Arabia’s most vital ally,” underscoring the depth of strategic trust between the two.
A significant contributor to inter-services coordination between both militaries was the former Saudi Defence Attaché to Pakistan, Major General Abdulilah R. Alkatheeri, whose tenure from 2014 to 2019 played a key role in enhancing cooperation across army, navy and air force domains. The signing of the Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement formalizes what had long existed in practice: a relationship grounded in trust, mutual security and strategic necessity. The pact creates mechanisms for; integrated defence planning, joint military training and operational exercises, intelligence sharing and counter-terrorism coordination, technological and defence-industrial collaboration and enhanced readiness to deter external threats.
Saudi Arabia is emerging as a leading Muslim state and expanding its regional security role, seeking deeper professional collaboration as it modernizes its defence forces under Vision 2030. Pakistan, with one of the most battle-hardened and professional militaries in the world, is well-positioned to contribute to this transformation. The Pak-Saudi defence partnership also sends a strong message of deterrence to rival forces in the region. As both states enhance interoperability, integrated planning and joint readiness, their cooperative framework will significantly contribute to regional security from South Asia to the Middle East.
The visit of General Fayyadh Al-Ruwaili is more than a routine engagement; it signals the beginning of a consolidated strategic security architecture between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia. With the SMDA now in effect, both countries are entering a new phase of defence integration rooted in shared history, strategic alignment and unwavering trust. As regional dynamics evolve, this partnership will remain a cornerstone of stability in the Muslim world and a guarantor of mutual security for decades to come.
— The writer is Professor of Politics and IR at International Islamic University, Islamabad.
