Field Marshal Asim Munir, Saudi Defence Minister Vow Stronger Defence Cooperation
RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA — WEB DESK: Pakistan’s Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir has met Saudi Defence Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz in Riyadh, with both sides reaffirming their commitment to continued defence cooperation and joint efforts to address threats facing the Kingdom.
Saudi reporting says Prince Khalid and Field Marshal Munir affirmed their determination to continue joint efforts against attacks targeting Saudi Arabia in accordance with the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement.
The bilateral meeting came alongside a wider gathering of the military leadership of Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye, held amid heightened regional tensions and recent missile and drone attacks targeting Saudi territory.
Defence Cooperation Discussed in Riyadh
The talks between Field Marshal Munir and Prince Khalid focused on bilateral defence relations and the regional security environment.
According to Saudi reporting, the two officials reaffirmed continued joint efforts aimed at confronting attacks against the Kingdom under the framework of the Makkah defence arrangement.
The meeting reinforces an already extensive defence relationship between Islamabad and Riyadh.
Field Marshal Munir and Prince Khalid have held previous meetings on bilateral defence cooperation. In February, the Saudi defence minister received the Pakistani military chief in Riyadh, where they reaffirmed the strategic defence partnership between the two countries.
The latest engagement, however, comes amid a substantially more tense regional security environment.
Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye Hold Military Talks
The bilateral talks coincided with a high-level meeting involving military chiefs from Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye.
Pakistan’s official state broadcaster, citing ISPR, confirmed that chiefs of defence forces and chiefs of general staff of the three countries met in Riyadh under the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement.
Participants reviewed the security situation and threats facing Saudi Arabia and condemned attacks targeting the holy city of Makkah as well as civilian and economic infrastructure.
The military leaders also discussed expanding intelligence sharing, military coordination and capability integration among their armed forces.
The meeting was aimed at translating commitments under the Makkah agreement into practical military cooperation, according to the official statement.
Reuters reporting carried by international outlets likewise confirms that the three countries’ military chiefs discussed closer intelligence sharing, military coordination and integration of capabilities during the Riyadh meeting.
Makkah Agreement Moves Towards Implementation
The talks are particularly significant because Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye have been moving towards operationalising their trilateral defence framework.
The Makkah Joint Defence Agreement was concluded on August 7, 2026, and provides a framework for collective defence and expanded military cooperation among the three countries.
Recent discussions have focused on converting that political commitment into operational military arrangements.
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan previously said the three governments had reached agreement on the alliance’s institutional structure, secretariat and joint military headquarters, with personnel expected to be assigned to its operational headquarters.
The latest Riyadh meeting appears to move that process further forward.
Saudi Security in Focus After Houthi Attacks
The immediate security backdrop is a series of Houthi missile and drone attacks targeting Saudi Arabia.
The Riyadh meeting reviewed threats facing the Kingdom and specifically addressed attacks against Makkah and civilian and economic infrastructure.
The three military chiefs praised the Saudi armed forces for their response and reaffirmed their commitment to the Kingdom’s security, sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Saudi Arabia subsequently reported intercepting another wave of missiles and drones launched by Yemen’s Houthis, underscoring the continuing security threat facing the Kingdom.
The timing makes the latest Pakistan-Saudi defence engagement particularly significant, although the meeting itself should not be presented as confirmation of any new combat deployment or military operation.
Pakistan Condemns Attacks on Saudi Arabia
Pakistan’s political leadership has also publicly condemned the attacks.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, addressing the 81st United Nations General Assembly, described any threat to the security and sanctity of the Haramain al-Sharifain as a red line and strongly condemned recent Houthi attacks against Saudi Arabia.
The prime minister also said the Makkah defence arrangement was intended to support peace and collective security rather than target a particular country.
Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has separately said Pakistan raised the issue of Houthi attacks and regional non-state actors during discussions with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian.
These diplomatic contacts are taking place alongside the military coordination now under way among Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye.
Intelligence Sharing and Military Integration
One of the most consequential aspects of the Riyadh talks was the emphasis on practical military coordination.
The official statement identifies three areas for deeper cooperation: intelligence sharing, military coordination and capability integration.
These measures are intended to strengthen deterrence and collective defence among the three armed forces.
However, the available official statements do not provide operational details such as troop numbers, deployments, command structures or specific missions.
It would therefore be premature to interpret the meeting as confirmation that Pakistani forces are being deployed for combat operations in Saudi Arabia.
The verified development is that the three countries are moving to strengthen and operationalise military cooperation under their existing defence agreement.
Pakistan-Saudi Defence Partnership Deepens
The bilateral meeting between Field Marshal Munir and Prince Khalid therefore forms part of a broader regional security initiative rather than an isolated diplomatic engagement.
Pakistan and Saudi Arabia reaffirmed their defence relationship, while the trilateral military meeting with Türkiye focused on translating the Makkah agreement into practical cooperation.
For publication, the central development is that Field Marshal Asim Munir and Saudi Defence Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman have reaffirmed continued joint defence efforts, while Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye are simultaneously advancing intelligence sharing, military coordination and capability integration under the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement.
