The Saudi Ministry of Defense has signed the State Partnership agreement with the US National Guard of Indiana and Oklahoma.
The agreement falls within the State Partnership Program (SPP) of the US Department of Defense, which includes more than 115 international partnerships around the world.
Further, it aims to enhance defense and security cooperation through training, exchange of expertise, and support for security and stability efforts.
The agreement was signed on behalf of the Ministry of Defense by the Chief of the General Staff, Gen. Fayyad Al-Ruwaili, and on behalf of the US side, it was signed by Chief of the US National Guard Bureau Gen. Steven Nordhaus, Adjutant General of the Oklahoma National Guard, Maj. Gen Thomas Mancino, Adjutant General of the Indiana National Guard, Brig. Gen. Lawrence Munich.
The Saudi-US National Guard of Indiana and Oklahoma agreement encompasses several strategic areas of cooperation, with a strong focus on strengthening joint defense capabilities and boosting the operational readiness of the Saudi Armed Forces. It also includes provisions for conducting joint military exercises aimed at improving coordination and interoperability between forces.
Additionally, the agreement emphasizes the development of leadership skills and strategic planning, the enhancement of emergency response and disaster management capabilities, and the establishment of long-term, sustainable institutional partnerships to support ongoing collaboration and knowledge exchange.
According to the statement, the future initiatives include exchanging visits, conducting joint field training in both countries, officer exchange programs, sharing expertise, and organizing specialized workshops in leadership and planning, artificial intelligence, and crisis management, in addition to community and cultural projects that enhance cooperation and rapprochement between the two sides.
