Iran, Saudi Arabia discuss potential security, defense cooperation
2 Min Read
Tehran and Riyadh discuss arenas for security and defense cooperation during a meeting on the sidelines of the 2024 World Defense Show in Riyadh.
-
Brigadier General Bahman Behmard, Deputy Head of Operations at the General Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces, and Saudi Chief of General Staff General Fayyad bin Hamed al-Ruwaili meet on the sidelines of the World Defense Show in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on February 5, 2024. (Social media)
High-ranking military officials from Iran and Saudi Arabia have engaged in talks aimed at exploring potential cooperation in the fields of security and defense. The meeting occurred on the sidelines of the 2024 World Defense Show in Riyadh and involved discussions between Brigadier General Bahman Behmard, deputy head of operations at the General Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces, and Saudi Chief of General Staff General Fayyad bin Hamed al-Ruwaili.
During the talks, Behmard highlighted Iran's robust defense and military capabilities, expressing a genuine interest in strengthening ties with Saudi Arabia. He extended an invitation to Ruwaili to visit Tehran, and conveyed a message from the Iranian Defense Minister to his Saudi counterpart.
In response, Ruwaili expressed his appreciation for the Iranian delegation's presence at the exhibition and emphasized the significance of expanding cooperation between Tehran and Riyadh in the fields of military and defense.
Notably, Iran's Ambassador to Riyadh, Alireza Enayati, shared an image of this important meeting in a social media post.
سفر هيات نظامي ايران به عربستان وديدار با فياض الرويلي رييس ستاد مشترك سعودي در حاشيه ديدار از نمايشگاه دفاعى رياض pic.twitter.com/wKK9PbrxoC
— علیرضا عنایتی (@Ali_RezaEnayati) February 5, 2024
Saudi Arabia to manufacture parts for Lockheed Martin's THAAD systems
In a statement on Monday, US weapons company Lockheed Martin announced that agreements have been signed for Saudi Arabian firms to manufacture parts for its Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system - which would develop local manufacturing capabilities and transfer expertise to fortify the country’s defense industry.
According to Saudi Arabia's state news agency, state-owned Saudi Arabian Military Industries (SAMI) signed 11 agreements at the Saudi defense show in the city of Riyadh, coinciding with the time at which shipping firms are suspending Red Sea transits to avoid the unfolding crisis in the strategic maritime route.
Lockheed added that the main partners of the deal that will receive sub-contracts include Middle East Propulsion Company (MEPC) and Arabian International Company (AIC) for Steel.
Boeing Saudi Arabia and Bahri Logistics, a unit of the country's national shipping company, signed a separate strategic memorandum of understanding to enhance supply chain activities and simultaneously enhance Bahri's support for services and defense-related products.
Read more: Iran, Saudi Arabia to begin talks on direct flights
