Saudi-Pakistani defense pact: reshaping South Asia’s security architecture to constrain China’s presence

On September 18, 2025, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan announced the signing of a mutual defense pact. The alliance formalized years of close cooperation between the two countries, but its completion was hastened by several recent crises: the escalation of the Indo-Pakistani conflict after air and missile strikes in May 2025, rising threats in the Gulf of Aden from pro-Iranian Yemeni Houthis, and Israel’s strikes on Qatar on September 9, 2025.

The document establishes a regime of mutual assistance in the event of an armed attack, regular exchange of intelligence data, integrated air defense coordination, and joint protocols for protecting critical infrastructure.

For Riyadh, the pact with Pakistan allows the integration of Pakistan’s nuclear potential as a deterrence factor, strengthens partnership in the military sphere, including intelligence exchange, joint exercises, and arms production.