Saudi Arabia has historically remained Pakistan's closest defense partner in the Middle East, with both countries sharing extensive military and intelligence cooperation. Military relations between the two were expanded in 1967.
[2] Former Saudi intelligence chief Prince
Turki bin Sultan described the level of cooperation as "probably one of the closest relationships in the world between any two countries"
[5] while Pakistan's ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Naeem Khan, stated that Pakistan considered Saudi Arabia's security as a "personal matter".
[6] The Pakistan Air Force has been in contact with the
Royal Saudi Air Force (RSAF) since the early 1960s. Following grievances over British military cooperation in the 1960s,
King Faisal turned to Pakistan's assistance for air force training and maintenance.
[2] In the 1960s, Pakistan helped the RSAF build and pilot its first jet fighters.
[5] Pakistan Air Force pilots flew RSAF
Lightnings in 1969 to repel
South Yemeni incursions on Saudi Arabia's southern border.
[5] Many Pakistanis continue to serve in the
Saudi Army and as combat pilots in the Saudi Air Force.
[7]
Pakistan deployed troops in Saudi Arabia for "security duties" in the wake of the 1979
Iranian Revolution.
[8] Pakistani troops also participated alongside Saudi forces in quelling insurgents during the 1979
Grand Mosque Seizure at Islam's holiest site in
Mecca.
[9] A protocol was signed between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia on 14 December 1982 following the latter's request for military manpower assistance. Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, up to 15,000 Pakistani troops were stationed in Saudi Arabia, to provide defense to the country.
[5] Some of them were part of a brigade combat force positioned near the Israeli-Jordanian-Saudi border.
[5] As of the Gulf War in 1991, up to 13,000 troops and 6,000 advisers from Pakistan were posted in Saudi Arabia.
[2] Under the 1982 protocol, cooperation was widened to include military training, defense production and sharing, and joint exercises. Contingents of the Pakistani Armed Forces have frequently participated in joint military exercises inside Saudi Arabia in conjunction with the
Saudi Armed Forces. Pakistani military presence in the kingdom continues presently, providing
Riyadh support against internal and external regional threats.
[10]
The
Pakistan Navy and
Royal Saudi Navy also share wide-ranging maritime cooperation, having conducted a series of joint naval exercises.
[2] Officers of the Royal Saudi Navy were provided training by the Pakistan Navy during the RSN's formative years
