Saudi Arabia deepens defence ties with Turkiye and Pakistan

Saudi Arabia is increasingly turning to Turkiye and Pakistan to build closer defence relationships, a shift that has raised questions about whether the kingdom is seeking to reduce its historical dependence on the United States for security guarantees.

For decades, the US has served as Saudi Arabia's primary defence partner. However, recent moves suggest Riyadh may be looking for additional or alternative partners within the region and beyond. Both Turkiye and Pakistan are significant Muslim-majority states with notable military capabilities, and closer ties with them could give Saudi Arabia greater flexibility in its geopolitical positioning.

Why it matters

A reorientation of Saudi Arabia's defence policy could affect the balance of power in the Middle East and the broader region, as well as the role played by the United States there. If Riyadh is indeed seeking to lessen its reliance on Washington, it could point to wider changes in regional alliance structures.

How much this trend truly reflects a strategic pivot away from the US, versus simply a diversification of defence cooperation, remains an open question. The development is being viewed as part of broader discussions about the region's security architecture and the influence of major powers within it.