By Tim Frazer
On August 21, 2025, Saudi Arabia solidified its strategic alliance with the United States by joining the Department of Defense’s National Guard Bureau State Partnership Program (SPP) in a landmark ceremony held in Riyadh. The agreement aligns the Saudi Arabian armed forces with the Indiana and Oklahoma National Guards, forming a trilateral partnership aimed at enhancing military cooperation, readiness, and regional security.
The SPP, which now includes 115 nations, fosters joint military training, exercises, and exchanges to build trust, strengthen deterrence, and promote interoperability among allied forces. Air Force Gen. Steve Nordhaus, Chief of the National Guard Bureau, emphasized the significance of the partnership, stating, “This agreement reflects the deep strategic relationship between our nations, built on decades of cooperation and a shared commitment to global security.”
The signing ceremony, attended by Saudi Arabia’s Chief of General Staff Gen. Fayyad Al-Ruwaili, Oklahoma Adjutant General Maj. Gen. Thomas Mancino, and Indiana Adjutant General Brig. Gen. Lawrence Muennich, formalized a collaboration that began last year. The partnership will focus on sharing expertise in areas such as cybersecurity, disaster response, aviation maintenance, and counter-uncrewed aerial systems operations. Initial engagements, including a cybersecurity exchange in November 2024 and joint training in April 2025, have already laid the groundwork for robust cooperation.
This partnership aligns with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, an ambitious initiative to modernize its military and diversify its economy. As the largest buyer of U.S. foreign military sales, Saudi Arabia invests heavily in defense, allocating 8.1% of its GDP to the sector—among the highest in the world. A recent $142 billion defense sales deal, part of $600 billion in investments announced during President Donald J. Trump’s May 2025 visit to Riyadh, underscores the Kingdom’s commitment to bolstering its defense capabilities.
“The Oklahoma and Indiana National Guards are proud to partner with Saudi Arabia to share knowledge and enhance our collective ability to address shared challenges,” said Maj. Gen. Mancino. Brig. Gen. Muennich added, “This partnership is a unique opportunity for our Guardsmen to learn alongside a key Middle Eastern ally, strengthening our readiness and interoperability.”
The SPP also supports Saudi Arabia’s efforts to develop its enlisted and noncommissioned officer corps. In January 2025, U.S. airmen led a leadership course for the Royal Saudi Air Force, while Senior Enlisted Advisor John Raines engaged with his Saudi counterpart, Ahmed Al-Mutairi, to discuss the critical role of enlisted personnel in modern warfare.
“This partnership is a force multiplier for regional stability and global security,” said Nordhaus. With plans for future joint exercises in both Saudi Arabia and the U.S., the collaboration promises to deepen ties and enhance the capabilities of all three partners.
