US Elevates Saudi Arabia to Major Non-NATO Ally

The United States has officially designated Saudi Arabia as a major non-NATO ally, a step that significantly expands military cooperation between the two countries. The announcement came during a White House dinner hosted by US President Donald Trump in honor of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. While the designation offers Riyadh privileged access to US weapons and joint defense initiatives, it does not constitute a formal security guarantee.

Strengthening a Strategic Partnership

The upgrade marks a notable deepening of the long-standing US–Saudi defense relationship. By receiving major non-NATO ally status, Saudi Arabia gains several key advantages, including preferential access to advanced American military technology, participation in joint research and development with the Pentagon, enhanced training opportunities, and eligibility for loans of military equipment. The Kingdom now joins other US partners holding the same designation, such as Egypt, Israel, Japan, and South Korea.

A New Defense Agreement

During the meeting, Trump and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman also signed a strategic defense agreement. According to the White House, the pact reinforces an eight-decade-long security partnership and is intended to bolster deterrence across the Middle East. However, details regarding any mutual defense commitments—such as whether the US would be required to defend Saudi Arabia in the event of an attack—were not immediately disclosed.

A Surprise Announcement

"I'm pleased to announce that we're taking our military cooperation to even greater heights," President Trump told guests during the dinner. He described the news as a surprise addition to the evening’s program, saying, "I'm just telling you now for the first time, because they wanted to keep a little secret for tonight." The move highlights the strategic priority Washington continues to place on its relationship with Riyadh amid an increasingly complex regional and global environment.