Evolving Defense Partners: Saudi Arabia, Australia Converge on Maritime Security
As international partners rally behind Saudi Arabia, Australia has voiced its firm support for the Kingdom while condemning Houthi terrorist attacks against Saudi civilian and energy infrastructure.
During high-level talks, Riyadh and Canberra aligned on defense coordination and cooperation in the face of pressing regional challenges. While their traditional relationship has long been rooted in trade, agriculture, and education, both countries are placing greater emphasis on strategic security and defense ties.
Defense Discussions
Driving the News: Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman held phone talks with Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defense Richard Marles on Monday, November 2, 2026.
The Big Picture: Both defense ministers discussed ways to bolster defense cooperation, reaffirming their commitment to addressing regional challenges to promote security and stability.
Why It Matters: The talks came amid an intensified Saudi defense outreach to regional and international partners to safeguard vital shipping lanes and maritime corridors as the Iranian-backed Houthi militia continues to threaten commercial shipping in the Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandab Strait.
Shared Stakes in Maritime Security
State of Play: Open Sea Lines of Communication (SLOCs) are of key importance to both nations. Consequently, they share an interest in protecting critical international sea lanes, freedom of navigation, and trade routes in the Middle East and surrounding waters.
Zoom In: Saudi Arabia needs safe and secure maritime routes for its energy exports and Red Sea trade, while Australia relies heavily on seaborne global trade.
What to Watch: Riyadh and Canberra have played vital roles in safeguarding freedom of navigation and maritime security in the Red Sea.
Combined Task Force 153
Both nations are members of Combined Task Force 153 (CTF 153) – a multinational naval task force established in 2022 focused on maritime security, anti-piracy, and capacity-building in the Red Sea, the Bab al-Mandab Strait, and the Gulf of Aden. Australia assumed a leadership role from October 1, 2024 to April 9, 2025. CTF 153 led Operation Prosperity Guardian, launched in December 2023, to maintain freedom of navigation amid Houthi attacks on shipping.
Multinational Maritime Defense Coalition
Saudi Arabia, alongside 14 founding members, launched the Multinational Maritime Defense Coalition in late July 2026, which aims to address and deter the growing threats to maritime security, including attacks against commercial vessels, energy tankers, and naval infrastructure in the Bab al-Mandab Strait, the Red Sea, and the Gulf of Aden.
Elevating Defense Ties
Between the Lines: The volatile security landscape in the Middle East has driven an urgent push to boost defense cooperation with partners and allies across the world. Riyadh and Canberra have a shared interest in elevating their defense and security ties.
The Catalyst: This was emphasized during a visit by Australia’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defense Richard Marles to the Kingdom in April 2024, where he met with Prince Khalid bin Salman and explored ways to expand defense industry collaboration.
The Vision 2030 Alignment
The Goal: Under Vision 2030, Saudi Arabia aims to localize over 50% of military spending by the end of the decade by reducing equipment imports and boosting technology transfer and local assembly, thereby bolstering national security and defense sovereignty.
The Australian Factor: Australia possesses an advanced defense industry, with cutting-edge capabilities in cyber defense, maritime security, radar systems, unmanned aerial systems (UAS), and defense education – all of which are of key significance for Saudi defense industries amid the ongoing modernization push.
Go Deeper: Australia made its debut in the World Defense Show 2026 (WDS 2026) in Riyadh, showcasing its defense innovations and signing key industrial agreements. One of the main highlights of Canberra’s participation in the event was an Industrial Participation Agreement for the Naval Platforms Contract Project signed between the Saudi General Authority for Military Industries (GAMI) and Luerssen Australia International. The agreement aims to strengthen industrial partnerships, transfer naval knowledge and technology, and build local industrial capabilities.
During the same event, Luerssen Australia International signed another agreement with the Saudi Interior Ministry to localize maritime vessel construction and strengthen border security.
The Takeaway: The growing partnership between Saudi Arabia and Australia signals a shared commitment to safeguarding critical maritime routes connecting the Indo-Pacific and the Middle East while advancing national interests and regional stability.
