Saudi Gazette report

RIYADH — Saudi Arabia and British defense ministers signed on Wednesday a declaration of Saudi Arabia’s intent to participate in the Future Combat Air System program (FCAS).

Defense Minister Prince Khalid Bin Salman said that the participation will strengthen the Kingdom’s defensive capabilities through a comprehensive partnership that includes joint production and R&D projects for future air systems.

Prince Khalid met with his British counterpart Ben Wallace in Riyadh on Wednesday.

The Saudi minister said he was pleased to meet with the UK’s secretary of state for defense and that the two officials discussed military and defense cooperation and ways to strengthen it.

“We also exchanged thoughts on regional and international developments and our efforts towards them,” Prince Khalid wrote on Twitter.