RIYADH, Saudi Arabia – Saudi Arabia has officially joined the U.S. Department of Defense National Guard Bureau State Partnership Program (SPP), marking a significant expansion of military collaboration between the two nations.
The formal integration took place during a ceremony on August 21, where military leaders from both countries signed a declaration. This partnership aligns the Saudi Arabian Armed Forces with the Indiana and Oklahoma National Guards, building on a trilateral collaboration that was established last year.
The SPP, which encompasses 115 partner nations, focuses on strengthening strategic bonds through joint military training, exercises, and personnel exchanges. The program aims to enhance collective readiness, reestablish deterrence, and foster long-lasting relationships among military troops.
Air Force Gen. Steve Nordhaus, the 30th chief of the National Guard Bureau, highlighted the importance of this formal partnership, stating, “Today, we formalize a partnership that reflects the deep strategic relationship between our nations, built on a shared commitment to global security, trust and decades of cooperation.”
The United States and Saudi Arabia have maintained a close alliance since 1940, emphasizing economic and security cooperation, particularly in the fields of counterterrorism and regional stability. Given its strategic location, capable military, and leadership in both the Arab and Islamic worlds, Saudi Arabia is regarded as a vital partner on the global stage.
As part of its Vision 2030 initiative, Saudi Arabia is pursuing an ambitious plan aimed at diversifying its economy and transforming society. This includes significant investments toward military modernization and advancements in technology.
Gen. Nordhaus expressed enthusiasm for the new partnership, stating, “With this signing, the Indiana and the Oklahoma National Guard embark on a journey with the Saudi Arabian Armed Forces to share expertise, promote mutual understanding and advance our shared commitment to global security.”
In the signing ceremony, Nordhaus was accompanied by Saudi Arabia’s Chief of General Staff, Gen. Fayyad Al-Ruwaili, Army Maj. Gen. Thomas Mancino from Oklahoma, and Army Brig. Gen. Lawrence Muennich from Indiana. Their signatures on the declaration signify the commencement of formalized joint training exchanges.
Gen. Al-Ruwaili viewed the partnership with the United States National Guard as a historic milestone in the evolution of defense cooperation. He emphasized, “It embodies our unwavering commitment to developing joint capabilities that strengthen regional security and stability, while firmly establishing the principles of combined military operations in pursuit of a more secure and prosperous future.”
This agreement follows President Donald Trump’s visit to Riyadh in May 2025, during which he announced a substantial $600 billion investment in Saudi technology and defense sectors. This included a landmark $142 billion defense sales deal, the largest in U.S. history, designed to equip Saudi Arabia with advanced warfighting systems and services from over a dozen U.S. defense firms.
Saudi Arabia’s commitment to defense is substantial, allocating 8.1% of its gross domestic product to military spending—this figure is among the highest in the world and exceeds spending levels of any other Middle Eastern nation.
Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Elbridge Colby expressed support for Saudi Arabia’s efforts aimed at bolstering its self-defense capabilities and playing a more significant role in achieving shared regional goals. This supportive stance was reiterated during the U.S.-Saudi Strategic Joint Planning Committee meeting held on July 29-30.
Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 places a strong focus on military modernization, development of domestic defense industries, and bolstering cybersecurity. These efforts further underscore the Kingdom’s strategic relevance in the global security landscape.
The State Partnership Program is a Department of Defense initiative characterized by a cost-effective model overseen by the National Guard Bureau. This program aligns with State Department foreign policy objectives and is executed by state adjutants general, supporting various security cooperation goals as outlined by the Department of Defense.
Currently, the National Guard of every state, along with territories and the District of Columbia, maintains partnerships with nations across all continents except Antarctica. Last year alone, elements of the National Guard participated in approximately 1,000 SPP engagements, utilizing just 1% of the U.S. security cooperation budget. These engagements encompassed troop exchanges and unit-level training exercises, allowing Guardsmen and their partner-nation counterparts to share expertise, enhance combat effectiveness, and improve interoperability.
Gen. Nordhaus remarked, “Our ability to train and operate together is a decisive advantage as we share the burden of regional defense and global security with our Allies and partners.” The National Guard serves as the operational reserve for both the Army and the Air Force, comprising 433,000 Soldiers and Airmen who bring significant experience in various facets of military operation, including disaster relief and domestic operations.
“The SPP will enable Indiana and Oklahoma National Guard members to work side by side with our Saudi partners and learn from each other,” said Alison Dilworth, chargé d’affaires ad interim to Saudi Arabia, while reflecting on the potential that this partnership holds.
The Indiana and Oklahoma Guards each possess distinctive capabilities in areas like cybersecurity, disaster response, aviator maintenance, medical response, and logistics. These strengths offer diverse opportunities for exchange and collaborative training.
“The Oklahoma National Guard is proud to join forces with our partners in the Indiana National Guard to welcome the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the State Partnership Program,” stated Maj. Gen. Mancino. “We are honored to stand alongside our new partners to share knowledge, foster long-term relationships and enhance capacity to respond to shared challenges.”
Brig. Gen. Muennich added, “I am extremely proud of the Indiana National Guard for being selected to partner with a strategic ally in the Middle East. The National Guard is a global force with local roots, and we’re excited for this new opportunity to learn alongside our Saudi partners and enhance our readiness.”
The Saudi-Indiana-Oklahoma collaboration began last November with an exchange focused on cybersecurity, disaster response, and critical infrastructure protection in Riyadh. This April, joint training sessions were concentrated on counter-unmanned aircraft system operations, border security, and maritime domain awareness—conditions essential for maintaining Saudi sovereignty over its coastal waters.
The Saudi Armed Forces are also working to strengthen their enlisted and noncommissioned officer corps.
Earlier this year, a mobile training team of U.S. Airmen from Air Forces Central conducted the inaugural Chief Leadership Course for the Royal Saudi Air Force (RSAF). This initiative included conversations on the RSAF’s evolving relationship with Indiana and Oklahoma.
In Riyadh, Senior Enlisted Advisor John Raines participated in a forum with the Saudi Armed Forces’ first senior enlisted advisor, Ahmed Al-Mutairi. This engagement aimed to emphasize the importance of enlisted personnel within the military framework.
Raines remarked, “Our enlisted corps is the backbone of our military,” while addressing the changing nature of warfare that necessitates swift decision-making at lower command levels.
The National Guard’s involvement extends to developing and professionalizing enlisted forces in partner nations, an opportunity highlighted by Al-Mutairi as a key area for collaboration.
As the partnership evolves, planning for future engagements is already underway, with activities expected to take place in both Saudi Arabia and the United States.
“We’re excited for this new partnership which will boost our readiness in our core missions to support the warfight, defend the homeland and build partnerships,” Nordhaus concluded. “This partnership is a force multiplier for security and stability that will make us stronger together and stronger tomorrow.”
image source from：army
