MUST-READS

• Turkey moves to power Saudi Arabia’s defense-driven economic transformation

  Riyadh’s bold plans to localize 50% of its defense sector by 2030 are reshaping its approach to military-industrial development. In line with this vision, leading Turkish defense companies such as Baykar, ASFAT and ASELSAN are forging co-production agreements, paving the way for intensifying technology transfer, and expanding local manufacturing capabilities within the Kingdom. Saudi Arabia’s proposed 6B USD defense agreement with Turkey is a significant step forward for this vision. The deal is expected to include a diverse range of hardware—including warships, the  battle tank Altay, a variety of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and potential collaboration on fifth-generation KAAN stealth fighters. These moves signal broader geostrategic aims beyond a shift in military procurement. In this context, the looming deal has the potential to radically transform Riyadh’s economic and industrial landscape.

• Civil Defense warns of precaution amid forecast of rain in most Saudi regions until Friday

  The General Directorate of Civil Defense has issued a weather warning for most regions of Saudi Arabia. Moderate to heavy rain is expected to continue until Friday in the regions of Makkah, Riyadh, Madinah, Tabuk, Hail, Qassim, Eastern Province, Northern Borders, Al-Jouf, Al-Baha, and Asir. The Civil Defense urged all residents to take necessary precautions, avoid areas prone to flash floods such as valleys, and refrain from swimming in them. It also called on the public to stay informed about the latest weather updates through official channels and social media platforms.

• Secretary Rubio’s Meeting with Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman Al Saud
  Secretary of State Marco Rubio met today with Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman Al Saud.  The Secretary and the Defense Minister underscored the importance of strengthening the U.S.-Saudi security partnership.  They also discussed ways to jointly promote peace and stability in Syria, Lebanon, Gaza, and across the region, to include Red Sea security and freedom of navigation.  The Secretary highlighted the need to stand together against Houthi threats to regional security.

• Hegseth Welcomes Saudi Defense Minister to Pentagon, Underscores Partnership

  Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth today highlighted the importance of the partnership between the U.S. and Saudi Arabia while hosting that country's defense minister during a bilateral engagement at the Pentagon. Referencing the cooperation that took place between the countries during Trump's first administration, Hegseth pointed out that both nations worked together to pursue security and stability in the Middle East, as well as to combat terrorism in the region and increase mutual prosperity. "Today, our relationship is a critical center of gravity in a very turbulent world," he added.  Stating that ending the war in Ukraine is one of the president's top priorities, Hegseth said he wanted to thank the Saudi Kingdom for hosting conversations between top U.S. and Russian officials in Riyadh, Feb. 18, 2025.  "And I also want to continue deepening and strengthening our partnership to pursue security and prosperity for both Americans and Saudis. So, I'm very much looking forward to a great discussion," Hegseth said.

• Saudi defense minister, Pentagon chief discuss Saudi-US defense cooperation

  Saudi Arabia’s Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman said on Sunday that he spoke to US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth on Saudi-US relations. In a post on X, Prince Khalid said during the call, the officials “explored ways to strengthen strategic defense cooperation,” and “discussed efforts to advance international peace and security.” Prince Khalid said he congratulated Hegseth, the chief of Pentagon, on his new role as part of the administration under US President Donald Trump. Pentagon Press Secretary John Ullyot said in a statement that during the introductory call, both officials reaffirmed “the critical defense partnership between the United States and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.”

• Readout of Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth’s Call With Saudi Minister of Defense, His Royal Highness Khalid bin Salman
  Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and Saudi Minister of Defense Khalid bin Salman held an introductory call today to reaffirm the critical defense partnership between the United States and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The Secretary welcomed Saudi Arabia's contributions to regional security and encouraged continued collaboration on shared challenges. They agreed to remain in touch and coordinate closely on areas of mutual interest.

• Saudi Arabia increases defense spending to $78B in 2025

  The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has allocated $78 billion for defense spending in 2025, up from $75.8 billion spent in 2024, Governor of the General Authority for Military Industries (GAMI) Ahmad Al-Ohali said in a statement Saturday. “The Kingdom allocated approximately $78 billion to the military sector in the 2025 budget, which constitutes 21% of total government spending and 7.1% of Saudi Arabia’s gross product,” he said, according to the statement. The statement further noted that the Kingdom has witnessed a 4.5 percent annual defense growth since 1960, adding that it has become the fifth largest defense spender worldwide and the largest in the Arab world.

• Türkiye in Talks with Saudi Arabia for US$6 Billion Defense Deal. KAAN to Get First Foreign Customer?

  The Turkish Air Force is expected to begin operating the KAAN fighter jet in 2028, with an initial delivery of 20 aircraft from TAI (TUSAS). By 2029, TAI is projected to produce two KAAN fighter jets per month, generating approximately $2.4 billion (RM9.6 billion) in annual revenue. Recently, Defence Security Asia reported that Saudi Arabia is considering a proposal to acquire approximately 100 units of the KAAN fifth-generation fighter jet, which is currently under development in Türkiye. Discussions on the potential acquisition were reportedly held during a recent visit by Saudi Royal Air Force Commander Prince Turki bin Bandar Al Saud to Türkiye. During his visit, Prince Turki met with key Turkish defense companies, including Roketsan, Aselsan, and Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI), the manufacturer of the KAAN fighter jet.

• Saudi defense giant SAMI appoints new CEO

  Saudi Arabia’s government-owned defense giant has appointed Thamer AlMuhid as its new Chief Executive Officer, five months after previous CEO Walid Abukhaled stepped down, the company’s board of directors announced today. “In his role as CEO, Eng. AlMuhid will lead SAMI’s mission to develop cutting-edge technologies, manufacture world-class products, and forge strategic partnerships,” according to a statement from Saudi Arabian Military Industries. The company said AlMuhid served earlier in several executive positions from CEO of Saudi Chemical Company to the vice chairman of the board of directors of the National Academy of Military Industries. AlMuhid will be the third SAMI CEO since the organization’s founding in 2017, after German national and former Rheinmetall executive Andreas Schwer, and Saudi national and former Northrop Grumman executive Walid Abukhaled.

• Saudi university signs 15 new agreements to research defense, AI, and nuclear technologies

  One of the Kingdom’s leading universities has signed 15 new agreements with government entities and major corporations to advance research in areas including defense, artificial intelligence, and nuclear energy. The King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals signed the agreements at a recent ceremony in Dhahran attended by Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, minister of energy and chairman of KFUPM’s Board of Trustees. Among the highlights is a memorandum of understanding with the King Abdullah City for Atomic and Renewable Energy to advance technology in nuclear and renewable energy, hydrogen, and AI.

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