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The Saudi Ministry of Defense reported that Assistant Minister Khalid Al-Biyari met with Deputy Minister Stefanie Beck at the Canadian Department of National Defence headquarters in Ottawa. The two officials examined bilateral defense relations and explored avenues to strengthen military cooperation. They also discussed multiple issues of shared concern to both countries. This encounter forms part of ongoing efforts to deepen ties between the Saudi and Canadian defense establishments.
The Saudi Ministry of Defense reported that Al-Biyari toured the University of Ottawa where officials briefed him on artificial intelligence programs focused on academic and medical applications. The assistant minister met with Saudi physicians associated with the ministry’s health services who are completing their studies at the university. He reviewed the trainees’ academic achievements and training milestones during the visit. The interaction allowed for direct oversight of the scholarship recipients’ progress. University administrators facilitated the sessions as part of the itinerary.
A Canadian Global Affairs Institute study described defense cooperation between Canada and Saudi Arabia as a long-standing relationship. The institute’s data places the total value of Canadian military exports to the kingdom at roughly CAN$2.5 billion since 1993. Light armoured vehicles represented the primary component of those sales over the decades. Saudi Arabia has also utilized the NATO Flying Training in Canada program for its pilots at various times. These established links provide context for the latest round of high-level discussions.
The Anadolu Agency reported that Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney traveled to Saudi Arabia in July for the first such visit in 26 years. Carney stated intentions to appoint a permanent defence attaché in Riyadh to promote defense exports from Canada. The development signaled a renewed push to broaden bilateral relations across economic and security domains. The recent Ottawa meeting builds upon that foundation of renewed engagement. Officials from both sides continue to identify concrete areas for joint work.
Al Arabiya English reported that the Saudi Ministry of Defense hosted military chiefs and representatives from 43 countries along with an EU delegation at the end of July. The discussions focused on establishing a multinational maritime defense coalition to safeguard shipping lanes in areas including the Red Sea, Bab al-Mandab and the Gulf of Aden. The proposal aims to protect freedom of navigation and global trade. This initiative reflects ongoing Saudi contributions to maritime security. The hosting followed other high-level contacts with international defense partners.
