In a move reflecting the depth of the strategic relations and military partnership between the two kingdoms, His Excellency the Chief of the General Staff of the Saudi Arabian Armed Forces, Lieutenant General Fayyad bin Hamed Al-Ruwaili, met with his counterpart, the Chief of Staff of the Bahrain Defence Force, Lieutenant General Dhiyab bin Saqr Al-Nuaimi. This important meeting took place on the sidelines of the World Defence Exhibition 2024, hosted by the Saudi capital, Riyadh, and organized by the General Authority for Military Industries.
Context of the meeting: The World Defence Exhibition as a strategic platform
The World Defence Exhibition, which launched its first edition in 2022, is a pivotal event on the global defense and security agenda. Aligned with the objectives of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, the exhibition aims to become a leading global platform that brings together defense industry leaders and government officials from around the world. It also seeks to support the Kingdom’s efforts to localize more than 50% of its military spending by 2030, by showcasing the latest defense technologies across land, sea, air, space, and cybersecurity domains, and by fostering partnerships between local and international companies.
The importance of Saudi-Bahraini relations
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Kingdom of Bahrain share deep-rooted historical and fraternal relations that extend beyond political dimensions to include close cooperation in security and military fields. This partnership is a cornerstone of the security and stability of the Arabian Gulf region. This meeting serves to strengthen joint coordination between the armed forces of the two countries, which is evident in numerous joint military exercises and the exchange of expertise to address shared regional challenges within the framework of the Gulf Cooperation Council.
Topics of discussion and its expected impact
During the meeting, ways to strengthen and develop existing defense and military cooperation between the Saudi Armed Forces and the Bahrain Defense Force were reviewed. The two sides discussed mechanisms to enhance coordination across various operational, training, and technical fields. This meeting is expected to positively impact interoperability between the two forces, thereby strengthening their ability to conduct joint operations efficiently and effectively, and sending a clear message about the cohesion of the Gulf defense posture. Following the meeting, Lieutenant General Dhiyab Al Nuaimi toured the exhibition pavilions, where he viewed the latest advanced military systems and equipment showcased by leading international and local companies.
