Resilient Partnership under Scrutiny: UK–Saudi Defence Cooperation, Path Dependence, and Managed Continuity (1902–2025)
Keywords:
Foreign Policy, Security, Defence cooperation, Middle East, United Kingdom, Saudi ArabiaAbstract
The United Kingdom first established a strategic relationship with emerging Saudi leadership during the First World War, at a time when much of the Arabian Peninsula remained under Ottoman sovereignty. The initial Anglo–Saudi agreement was concluded in 1915, and this framework was subsequently reaffirmed and adapted through a further treaty in 1927, following the capture of Mecca and Medina. British military assistance and materiel support contributed to the consolidation of the nascent political order during this formative phase. Following the proclamation of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in 1932, the United Kingdom maintained a sustained and wide-ranging defence relationship with the Kingdom, encompassing arms cooperation, advisory interaction, and broader security coordination. The historical foundations of the relationship are routinely referenced by officials in both countries to legitimate and advance contemporary cooperation. Although bilateral relations have periodically experienced political strain, defence collaboration has displayed notable resilience and continuity. This article analyses the evolution of UK–Saudi relations and evaluates the principal drivers and modalities through which this partnership has been maintained from its origins to the present.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Seyedmohammad Seyedi Asl (Author); Murad Sadygzade (Corresponding author)
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