By Al-Fassel | 2024-06-21

Recent meetings have brought the United States and Saudi Arabia closer to finalizing draft strategic agreements that underscore the importance of their decades-long security relationship and support for regional stability.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan met in Dhahran May 19 to discuss a "semi-final" draft deal, Saudi state media reported.

Among other provisions, the deal -- seen as an affirmation of the longterm US commitment to the kingdom -- provides security guarantees that would enhance regional security by deterring the threat from Iran and its proxies.

It also is expected to keep China's growing military interest in the region in check. Though China has shown an increased interest in Middle East affairs, intelligence analysts say its arms sales and security support are "negligible."

On April 30, the US State Department approved a $250 million Foreign Military Sales (FMS) blanket order for military training to Saudi Arabia, primarily for the Royal Saudi Naval Forces, per the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA).

On April 10, the State Department announced the approval of a possible foreign military sale of Multifunctional Information Distribution Systems (MIDS) and related equipment for an estimated $101.1 million.

MIDS is an advanced command, control, communications, computing and intelligence system for the exchange of near real-time tactical information via data and voice among air, ground and naval forces.

The proposed sale will improve "the security of a partner country that is a force for political stability and economic progress in the Gulf region," the DSCA said.

It will boost Saudi surveillance capability "to counter current and future regional threats, strengthen its homeland defense, and improve interoperability with systems operated by US forces and other Gulf region partners."

Long partnership

The United States and Saudi Arabia entered into their first formal defense pact in 1951, and both have "a common interest in preserving the stability, security and prosperity of the Gulf region," per the State Department.

In 2017, the United States signed a 10-year security deal with the kingdom that aimed in part to counter any threat from Iran and help support the long-term security of US partners in the Gulf region.

This included a contract to train the Saudi air force, and an advanced missile defense system and radar systems.

These security deals indicate the kingdom's reliance on the cutting-edge US technology over other countries, including China, whose arms sales in 2020 dropped to their lowest level since 2008.