Saudi Gazette report

LONDON — Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman and British Secretary of Defense Ben Wallace signed the defense cooperation plan during their meeting at the headquarters of the British Ministry of Defense here on Tuesday.

The defense cooperation plan aims to develop the capabilities of the Saudi Ministry of Defense as well as to localize military industries, and strengthen the partnership between the two countries in the military and defense field. Aspects of bilateral cooperation in the military and defense field were figured mainly in their talks.

Earlier, Wallace received Prince Khalid bin Salman at the Royal Cavalry Guard Square in the British capital. An official reception ceremony was held in honor of Prince Khalid during which the Saudi royal anthem was played and the guard of honor was inspected.

This was followed by the meeting between Prince Khalid and Wallace during which they reviewed the strategic and historical relations between the two friendly countries. A number of issues of common interest and the latest developments at the regional and international levels were also discussed.

The meeting and signing of the defense cooperation plan was attended by Saudi Ambassador to the United Kingdom Prince Khalid bin Bandar; Chief of the General Staff Lt. Gen. Fayyadh Al-Ruwaili and a number of senior Saudi military and civilian officials.

Those who attended from the British side included Air Chief Marshal Sir Michael Wigston, the Chief of Air Staff of the British Air Force; British Ambassador Saudi Arabia Neil Crompton; British Military Attaché to Saudi Arabia Brig. F.A.J. Piggott; and a number of officials.

It is worth mentioning that Prince Khalid and his accompanying delegation arrived in the United Kingdom on an official visit on Monday.

The minister will meet a number of British officials to discuss relations between the two countries, strengthen bilateral cooperation in the military and defense field, and review issues of common interest at the regional and international levels.