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The Saudi Press Agency reported that Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz held a phone call with Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto on October 6. During the discussion the two sides examined military and defense cooperation between the Kingdom and Italy while identifying methods to advance it. The ministers also assessed current regional developments and the work under way on common concerns to strengthen security and stability.
This exchange reflects the regular dialogue maintained between the defense establishments of the two countries. The Saudi Press Agency has published similar accounts of ministerial contacts that emphasize mutual interest in collaborative security approaches. Such calls enable timely alignment on issues that extend beyond bilateral ties.
The latest conversation continues momentum from an earlier face-to-face meeting the ministers held in Jeddah in April. According to Okaz that session covered parallel topics on partnership development in military fields and joint handling of regional and international situations. Multiple defense officials from both delegations participated to support in-depth review.
Reuters reported that Italy and Saudi Arabia concluded partnership agreements valued at approximately $10 billion in January 2025 that featured defense as a central pillar. Those understandings included a memorandum between Italian aerospace and defense firm Leonardo and Saudi entities to expand cooperation in multiple sectors. The framework has laid groundwork for deeper integration that the October phone call appears positioned to carry forward.
Saudi Arabia has lifted its reliance on single-source defense suppliers by cultivating ties with European manufacturers including those in Italy. The Ministry of Defense views these relationships as instrumental to achieving localization targets and technology gains. Consistent high-level engagement ensures that cooperation adapts to new requirements.
The Italian defense industry supplies advanced systems that match Saudi modernization priorities in areas such as aerospace and electronics. By sustaining these channels both parties reinforce their contribution to wider stability initiatives. The Saudi Press Agency noted the call concluded with agreement to maintain the established line of communication.
The Ministry of Defense disseminated the outcome through its verified social media channels where the post recorded substantial interaction. This practice forms part of broader efforts to communicate defense diplomacy to domestic and international audiences. The transparency helps illustrate the priority assigned to partnerships that deliver shared security benefits.
