The US National Guard established a new partnership with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia – a landmark agreement that deepens military cooperation, strengthens regional defense capabilities, and underscores America’s enduring commitment to stability and security in the Middle East.

The strategic relationship between the United States and Saudi Arabia is expanding through the Department of Defense National Guard Bureau State Partnership Program (SPP), which pairs Saudi Arabia with the Indiana and Oklahoma National Guards.

Military leaders from both nations signed a formal declaration on August 21 to join the State Partnership Program.

The declaration brings together the Saudi Arabian Armed Forces with the Indiana and Oklahoma National Guards in a trilateral partnership, formalizing a relationship established last year.

At the signing, Air Force General Steve Nordhaus, Chief of the National Guard Bureau, declared that the partnership "reflects the deep strategic relationship between our nations, built on a shared commitment to global security, trust and decades of cooperation."

He was joined at the signing by Saudi Arabia’s Fayyad Al‑Ruwaili, Chief of General Staff, along with Maj. Gen. Thomas Mancino, Oklahoma’s Adjutant General, and Brig. Gen. Lawrence Muennich, Indiana’s Adjutant General.

The SPP is a key tool for building relationships with nations all around the world.

It enables partner nations and National Guard units to conduct joint exercises and military-to-military engagements.

Altogether, there are 115 countries in SPPs, each working to strengthen strategic bonds through joint military exercises and exchanges that enhance collective readiness, reestablish deterrence and foster enduring relationships among troops.

SPP partnerships create opportunities for intercultural dialogue and expertise sharing between Guard units and the militaries of partner countries.

The US National Guard serves as the combat reserve of the US Army and Air Force, comprising National Guard units of all 50 states, Puerto Rico, the District of Columbia, the US Virgin Islands and Guam.

A strategic alliance

The alliance can contribute to regional stability and security in several key ways.

By integrating Saudi Arabia into the SPP framework, the United States and its state-guard partners have additional opportunities for joint training, strategic planning and operational exchanges with a major Middle East partner.

Meanwhile, the Indiana and Oklahoma Guards also bring strengths and capabilities to the partnership, including cybersecurity, aviation maintenance, disaster response, medical logistics and border and maritime security.

The new agreement builds on the already robust and enduring military partnership between the United States and Saudi Arabia.

From Operation Desert Storm in 1991 to the ongoing counterterrorism collaborations, the US-Saudi relationship has consistently sought to safeguard regional interests and respond to emerging threats.