Saudi defense official visits US to expand military and defense industry cooperation

WASHINGTON — Saudi Assistant Minister of Defense for Executive Affairs Dr. Khalid Al Biyari visited the United States to discuss ways to strengthen bilateral defense cooperation and expand collaboration in military industries, technology transfer and regional security.Al Biyari began his visit with a meeting at the U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency, where he met Director Mary Morgan to review defense industrial cooperation and discuss issues of mutual interest.During separate meetings at the Pentagon, Al Biyari met Michael Duffey, U.S. Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment; Elbridge Colby, U.S. Under Secretary of Defense for Policy; and Gentry Stephen, U.S. Under Secretary of the Air Force for International Affairs.The discussions focused on enhancing defense cooperation between Saudi Arabia and the United States and exploring opportunities to further develop the strategic partnership in support of shared interests and regional security.Al Biyari also met Thomas DiNanno, U.S. Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security, to discuss Saudi-U.S. relations and their role in promoting regional and international security and stability.The visit concluded with a meeting between Al Biyari and chief executives of several leading U.S. defense companies, where they reviewed opportunities for cooperation aligned with Saudi Vision 2030, particularly in defense industries, research and development, technology transfer and localization.