Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Defence Prince Khalid bin Salman met with his British counterpart Ben Wallace for official talks in London on Tuesday, the official Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported.
Wallace welcomed Prince Khalid at the Royal Cavalry Guard Square in London, where an official reception was held in the Saudi defence minister’s honour.
The pair reviewed their kingdoms’ strategic and historical ties, discussing ways to further enhance cooperation in the defence and military sectors, during a meeting at the headquarters of Britain’s defence ministry.
The defence ministers also spoke about issues of mutual interest and the latest regional and global security developments, SPA reported.
Prince Khalid and Wallace signed a defence cooperation plan, which aims to develop the capabilities of Saudi Arabia’s defence ministry, localise military industries, and strengthen both nations’ partnerships.
Accompanying Prince Khalid was a Saudi delegation of senior officials, all of whom arrived in the UK on Monday for the official visit.
During his trip, Prince Khalid also paid an official visit to the headquarters of BAE Systems – a British multinational arms, security and aerospace company – in Wharton, Cumbria.
He was received by the Chief of Air Staff of the UK’s Air Force Air Chief Marshal Sir Mike Wigston; Britain’s Military Attaché to Saudi Arabia Brigadier Jimmy Piggott; and BAE Systems CEO Dr. Charles Woodburn.
The Saudi defence minister was briefed on the capabilities of the firms Typhoon aircraft and its combat systems, the company’s future plans which included its program for future combat air capabilities and the development of air systems.
Prince Khalid visited the company’s aviation systems development and design site and was briefed on a number of modern aviation systems.
They also discussed ways to strengthen the long-standing partnership between BAE Systems and the Saudi Armed Forces, which extends for more than 50 years, according to SPA.
Over the years, this partnership has reportedly contributed immensely to the Saudi defence sector, and more specifically, to the goals set out by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in 2016 under Vision 2030.
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