![Pakistan and Saudi Arabia signed a defence agreement on September 17 in Riyadh [Handout/Pakistan Prime Minister's Office]](https://www.thestrategicperspective.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/pak-saudi-810x537.jpg)
Introduction
The Saudi- Pakistan relations transformed from informal cooperation to an explicit mutual defence commitment after the two nations formulized the Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement (SMDA) in September 2025. This is being viewed as a decisive shift in the security architecture for and how it institutionalizes hedging and deterrence amid an increasingly fragmented global order.
Historical Context and Evolution of the Pact
Saudi–Pakistani defence relations have existed since the Cold War era, including military training, advisory roles, intelligence cooperation, and force deployments. For decades, these ties remained deliberately informal, allowing both states to benefit from cooperation without treaty-bound obligations.
The regional security environment of the early 2020s, however, accelerated change. Growing instability in the Gulf, the perception of declining reliability of traditional security guarantors, and heightened concerns over regional escalation pushed Riyadh toward strategic diversification. It is apparent for Islamabad, economic pressures and the determination to remain strategically relevant beyond South Asia have been the leading incentives to formalize long-standing ties.
![Pakistan and Saudi Arabia signed a defence agreement on September 17 in Riyadh [Handout/Pakistan Prime Minister's Office]](https://www.thestrategicperspective.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/pak-saudi-951x500.jpg "pak saudi")
Timeline of Key Developments
Pre-2025: Extensive but informal defence cooperation, including Pakistani military personnel stationed in Saudi Arabia and routine training exercises.
Early–Mid 2025: Rising regional tensions and questions over external security guarantees intensify Saudi Arabia’s search for alternative defence arrangements.
17 September 2025: The Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement is signed in Riyadh by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
September 2025 (Post-Signing): Both governments issue statements emphasizing mutual defence, deterrence, and regional stability.
Late 2025: Pakistan’s Foreign Office clarifies the agreement is defensive in nature and not directed against any third country.
2026: The pact enters its first full operational year, with quiet steps toward intelligence coordination, planning mechanisms, and strategic signalling.
What the Agreement Commits To?
At its core, the SMDA establishes a mutual defence principle, stating that aggression against one party will be considered aggression against the other. While the full text remains undisclosed, official statements suggest the agreement covers:
- Strategic coordination and consultations
- Defence and security cooperation across multiple domains
- Intelligence sharing and joint planning
- Military training and advisory collaboration
Additionally, the pact does not publicly define automatic military response thresholds, command structures, or force deployment obligations. This deliberate ambiguity is a feature central to its deterrent value.
Official Narratives and Diplomatic Messaging
Both nations have exercised caution in framing the agreement.
Saudi Arabia has presented the pact as part of a broader effort to bolster national and regional security through diversified partnerships.
Pakistan has consistently emphasized that the SMDA is purely defensive, contributes to regional peace, and is not directed at Iran, India, or any other state.
Strategic Logic: Hedging Rather Than Alliance Politics
Saudi Arabia’s Strategic Calculus
It may be inferred that from Riyadh’s perspective, the SMDA serves several strategic purposes:
- Security Diversification
The pact reduces overreliance on any single external guarantor by adding Pakistan as an additional security pillar.
- Deterrence Through Association
Pakistan’s large, battle-hardened military and its status as a nuclear-armed state introduce strategic uncertainty for potential adversaries—even without explicit nuclear guarantees.
- Flexible Commitment
Unlike treaty-bound alliances, the SMDA preserves Saudi autonomy in decision-making, avoiding entrapment in conflicts beyond its core interests.
Pakistan’s Strategic Motivations
The agreement delivers both strategic and domestic benefits:
- Formal Recognition of Strategic Relevance
The pact elevates Pakistan’s role from a regional actor to a contributor to Gulf security.
- Political and Economic Signalling
Closer defence ties reinforce Pakistan’s broader relationship with Saudi Arabia, including economic and diplomatic support.
- Careful Balancing
Islamabad maintains strategic balance by stressing that the pact does not alter its relations with Iran or escalate tensions with India.
Operationalizing Deterrence in 2026
The agreement’s impact lies in deterrence signalling rather than force projection.
Political Signalling: The pact communicates that Saudi Arabia is not strategically isolated and that Pakistan has a stake in Gulf stability.
Strategic Ambiguity: Uncertainty about the scale and nature of Pakistan’s potential response complicates adversarial calculations.
Incremental Institutionalization: Intelligence exchanges, planning coordination, and military consultations quietly translate political commitments into functional deterrence.
Regional and Global Implications
Middle East Dynamics
The pact subtly reshapes Gulf security thinking, signalling a move away from singular reliance on Western frameworks toward multi-vector partnerships.
South Asia–Middle East Linkage
By tying Pakistan more closely to Gulf security, the agreement creates strategic interdependence between two regions traditionally analysed separately.
Implications for Major Powers
United States: The pact reflects Saudi hedging behaviour amid uncertainty about long-term U.S. commitments.
China: Pakistan’s close ties with Beijing add another layer of complexity, though the SMDA itself remains independent of Chinese security frameworks.
Constraints and Strategic Limits
Despite its significance, the pact faces real limitations:
Logistical and Operational Constraints: Pakistan’s ability to rapidly deploy forces to the Gulf at scale remains uncertain.
Nuclear Ambiguity Risks: While deterrence benefits from ambiguity, excessive uncertainty could invite misinterpretation.
Diplomatic Tightrope: Pakistan must continuously reassure Iran and India to prevent the pact from being perceived as destabilizing.
Conclusion
The Saudi–Pakistani Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement is designed for an era defined by uncertainty, multipolarity, and strategic fluidity. As it enters 2026, the pact’s value lies in how it operationalizes hedging and deterrence—enhancing security while preserving flexibility.
More on Pakistan policies:
Pakistan and Egypt Strengthen Defence Cooperation as Pakistan Army Chief Asim Munir Visits Cairo: https://www.thestrategicperspective.org/pakistan-and-egypt-strengthen-defence-cooperation-as-pakistan-army-chief-asim-munir-visits-cairo/
Policy Analysis: Pakistan–Taliban Relations and the October 2025 Ceasefire — Strategic Fracture or Diplomatic Reset? https://www.thestrategicperspective.org/policy-analysis-pakistan-taliban-relations-and-the-october-2025-ceasefire-strategic-failure-or-diplomatic-reset/
From Kingmaker to Convict: The Rise and Fall of Pakistan’s Ex-ISI Chief Faiz Hameed: https://www.thestrategicperspective.org/from-kingmaker-to-convict-the-rise-and-fall-of-pakistans-ex-isi-chief-faiz-hameed/
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