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The Saudi Ministry of Defense and the French Ministry of the Armed Forces and Veterans Affairs signed the Declaration of Intent in the French capital. Prince Khalid bin Salman represented the Saudi side while Catherine Vautrin signed for France. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and President Emmanuel Macron attended the ceremony as part of high-level bilateral discussions that day.
The agreement seeks to advance collaboration on defense capabilities tied to modern technologies and associated industries. It further provides for exchanges of expertise across cybersecurity artificial intelligence training and military education. Both ministries described the pact as an extension of prior cooperation that serves shared strategic objectives.
This development formed part of a wider package of understandings concluded during Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s visit according to the Saudi Press Agency. The talks included pacts on energy artificial intelligence and tourism including a theme park project valued around 7 billion dollars near Paris. The gathering also convened the first meeting of a strategic partnership council formed the previous year.
France has long supplied defense equipment to Saudi Arabia which represents a significant market for French manufacturers Al Jazeera reported. A 2024 contract with Airbus for up to 120 helicopters illustrated the pattern of military-technical ties. The latest declaration continues Saudi Arabia’s push to broaden its defense relationships through diversified partnerships.
Both sides stated that the document reflects the depth of their strategic partnership. The countries committed to further developing defense cooperation in ways that enhance security and stability. The pact will strengthen national capabilities in fields of mutual interest the ministries said in a joint statement.
Saudi-French relations have expanded steadily over recent decades from traditional arms trade into broader strategic coordination RFI reported. A visit by President Macron to Riyadh in December 2024 accelerated momentum toward the current agreements. Additional implementation details are expected as the two governments establish working groups in the months ahead.
