Image: from Hamdan News X @HamdanWahe57839
By Open Chronicle Staff with Agencies
RIYADH — In a major escalation of regional security cooperation, Pakistan has deployed a fleet of fighter jets and support aircraft to Saudi Arabia, invoking a mutual defence pact as the Middle East grapples with the fallout of the U.S.-Iran conflict.
The Saudi Ministry of Defence confirmed Saturday that the Pakistani aircraft arrived at the King Abdulaziz Air Base in the country’s Eastern Province. The deployment is intended to bolster the Kingdom’s air defences following a series of Iranian strikes over recent weeks that targeted critical energy infrastructure and resulted in the death of a Saudi national.
The 2025 Defence Pact
The arrival of the Pakistani forces marks the first significant activation of the September 2025 Mutual Defence Pact. Under the terms of the agreement, both nations are committed to treating an act of aggression against one as an attack on both. While the two countries have maintained a security partnership for decades, this pact represents a formalization of their military ties at a time of unprecedented regional instability.
“The Pakistani deployment aims to strengthen joint defence cooperation and support regional and international security and stability,” the Saudi Defence Ministry stated.
Diplomacy and Deterrence
The timing of the deployment is particularly notable as it coincides with the high-profile peace talks in Islamabad. While Pakistan acts as a mediator between Washington and Tehran, this move underscores its commitment to Riyadh’s security, effectively serving as a deterrent against further Iranian incursions into Saudi airspace.
The security arrangement is mirrored by deepening economic ties. On Friday, Saudi Finance Minister Mohammed Al-Jadaan visited Pakistan to reaffirm Riyadh’s financial backing. Historically, Saudi Arabia has provided billions in support packages and oil supplies on deferred payments to stabilize Pakistan’s economy, while Islamabad has provided military training and advisory personnel in return.
Regional Context
The Eastern Province, where the Pakistani jets are now stationed, is home to the bulk of Saudi Arabia’s oil infrastructure. The area has been on high alert as the U.S. Navy begins “clearing operations” in the nearby Strait of Hormuz.
By integrating Pakistani airpower into its defensive posture, Riyadh is signaling that it will not remain isolated if the current two-week ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran fails to hold.