An Evolving Partnership: Saudi Arabia, Canada Deepen Defense Ties
The partnership between Saudi Arabia and Canada is witnessing a major upswing as Riyadh and Ottawa shore up their defense cooperation.
Driven by the historic visit of Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney to the Kingdom in early July 2026, this significant leap heralds a new era of bilateral ties.
Defense Cooperation Horizons
The Big Picture: During an official visit to Canada, Saudi Assistant Minister of Defense for Executive Affairs Khalid Al-Biyari met with Canadian Deputy Minister of National Defense Stefanie Beck. The two officials explored avenues for bolstering Saudi-Canadian military and defense cooperation.
State of Play: According to the Saudi Defense Ministry, the discussions focused on reviewing defense relations, exploring available opportunities to enhance bilateral cooperation, and discussing issues of mutual interest.
Between the Lines: Al-Biyari’s visit included a tour at the University of Ottawa, where he learned about the university’s AI programs and initiatives, including academic and medical applications. During the tour, he met with Saudi physicians affiliated with the Defense Ministry’s health services. Al-Biyari reviewed their academic and training progress as they pursue higher studies at the university.
High-Level Defense Talks
Backstory: On July 9, 2026, Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney made a landmark visit to Jeddah, the first visit by a Canadian Prime Minister to Saudi Arabia in over a quarter century. The visit marked a historical shift in Saudi-Canadian relations and witnessed the signing of major agreements.
Catch Up Quick: On the sidelines of Carney’s visit, Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman met with his Canadian counterpart David McGuinty in Jeddah. The two defense chiefs explored ways to further strengthen cooperation in the military and defense fields. They also discussed the latest regional developments and efforts made to promote regional and international security and stability.
The Historic Shift
The Anchor: During Carney’s visit to Jeddah, Saudi and Canadian governments signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to establish the Saudi-Canadian Coordination Council. The agreement aims to bolster cooperation across several sectors, including:
- Defense
- Economy
- Trade and investment
- Culture
- Education
- Science
- Consular affairs
Furthermore, the two countries forged new training partnerships in defense and security to support Riyadh’s efforts to build domestic aviation and defense industry capabilities.
The Pivot: Under Vision 2030, Saudi Arabia is leading a major localization push targeting more than 50% of its military spending by the end of the decade. These efforts are spearheaded by the General Authority for Military Industries (GAMI), alongside Saudi Arabian Military Industries (SAMI), the Kingdom’s commercial defense champion. By the end of 2024, the localization rate of military spending reached around 25%, surging from 4% in 2018.
What to Watch: Carney announced that Canada will appoint a resident Defense Attaché in Riyadh to deepen military ties, boost bilateral engagements, and increase Canadian defense sector’s exports. Furthermore, Riyadh and Ottawa committed to finalizing an MoU on defense cooperation. Canada will also have a national pavilion in the upcoming World Defense Show (WDS 2028) in Riyadh.
The Bottom Line: The deepening Riyadh-Ottawa partnership plays a vital role in advancing the ambitious objectives of Saudi Vision 2030, driving economic diversification and bolstering the domestic defense sector. Meanwhile, it aligns with Canada’s efforts to increase non-US exports, attract investment in key sectors, and create new opportunities for Canadian businesses.
