Why Did Saudi Arabia Sign SMDA with Pakistan Despite U.S. Security Assurances?

Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have signed a Strategic Mutual Defense Agreement (SMDA) under which both countries have committed to treat an attack on one as an attack on the other. The agreement is strictly defensive in nature and is not intended for aggression against any third country. Instead, it signifies a commitment to mutual protection and strategic cooperation.
There are several factors behind Saudi Arabia’s decision to enter into this defense pact with Pakistan, despite longstanding U.S. security assurances. Many Gulf States, including Saudi Arabia, increasingly feel that U.S. foreign policy in the region has lacked consistency. Past expectations were not always met, and Washington’s shifting priorities in the Middle East have led Arab states to diversify their defense and security networks.
The region is facing a wide array of uncertainties — Iran’s activities, Israeli military operations, the war in Yemen, and the situation in Gaza all contribute to instability. In such a climate, a defense agreement with a reliable partner like Pakistan provides Saudi Arabia with an added layer of deterrence.
Pakistan, being a Muslim-majority country with significant influence in the Islamic world, offers Saudi Arabia not only strategic depth but also a signal to the wider Muslim community that Riyadh seeks broader defense partnerships beyond just Arab or Gulf countries.
Moreover, relying solely on the United States for defense can be risky. If Washington were to shift its military or diplomatic priorities, reduce its regional commitments, or re-evaluate existing agreements, Saudi Arabia could find itself vulnerable. Therefore, the defense pact with Pakistan can be seen as part of Riyadh’s effort to diversify its strategic alliances.
Pakistan, on the other hand, is facing economic challenges. Saudi Arabia has supported Pakistan in the past through financial assistance, oil supply, and debt relief. This agreement could also help deepen economic and trade cooperation between the two nations.
Saudi Arabia’s reliance on American military support is not very different from Qatar’s position. The Kingdom remains one of the world’s largest buyers of U.S. weapons and military hardware. The U.S. maintains several military bases in Saudi Arabia, including the permanent installation at Prince Sultan Air Base, which houses a significant number of American troops.
So, the question arises: Why does Saudi Arabia feel the need for a defense pact with Pakistan, despite already having modern U.S. military technology and strong diplomatic and defense ties with Washington? Is this a response to the recent events in Doha on September 9, or does it reflect a gap in Saudi Arabia’s military capabilities?

Before answering these questions, it’s important to understand the current state of Saudi Arabia’s military power. According to Global Firepower, a platform that assesses military strength worldwide, Saudi Arabia has approximately 407,000 military personnel, out of which 257,000 are active-duty soldiers. The Kingdom’s ground forces comprise 75,000 troops, the air force has around 20,000 personnel, and the navy includes about 13,500. Additionally, there are approximately 150,000 paramilitary forces.
Saudi Arabia’s air fleet includes 917 aircraft, with around 642 in operational condition, placing it 11th among 145 countries in terms of air power. This includes 283 fighter jets and 81 attack aircraft. While fighter jets are used for air-to-air combat, attack aircraft are designed for ground-target strikes and heavy bombardment.
On land, Saudi Arabia possesses 840 tanks, of which 588 are combat-ready, ranking 20th globally. It has 332 self-propelled artillery units and 467 towed artillery units. The country also has 321 Multiple Launch Rocket Systems (MLRS), with 225 in active condition, placing it 12th in the world in this category. MLRS units can fire several rockets in a short span of time, offering massive strike capabilities.
It is important to recognize that U.S. security assurances do not automatically eliminate all threats to Saudi Arabia. These guarantees are often contingent upon international treaties, bilateral agreements, memoranda of understanding, and specific defense accords.
Such assurances are subject to conditions — timing, political will, public interest, and the domestic or international policy context of the United States. Washington’s priorities can change; regional dynamics may shift; and political pressures might cause the U.S. to alter or even withdraw from previously made commitments.
Additionally, not all threats to Saudi Arabia are perceived as direct threats to the United States. In such scenarios, Riyadh seeks to enhance its strategic autonomy by building multiple layers of security beyond the U.S. umbrella.
Therefore, it would be incorrect to suggest that Saudi Arabia has rejected U.S. security guarantees altogether. Rather, the Kingdom aims to strengthen its security architecture through additional partnerships — with Pakistan being one of the most strategic among them — in order to better safeguard its national interests and long-term defense objectives.