What Does It Mean for Saudi Arabia to Be Classified as a U.S. Ally Outside NATO?

At the conclusion of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's visit to the United States over the past two days (November 18 and 19), where he met with U.S. President Donald Trump, both countries emphasized their deep commitment to historical friendship and strategic partnership, discussing ways to enhance this partnership in all areas.

This exceptional visit marked a qualitative leap in the defense partnership agreement between the two countries, with Trump officially announcing the classification of Saudi Arabia as a "Major Non-NATO Ally" and approving the sale of F-35 fighter jets to the kingdom.

So what does this classification mean?

Undoubtedly, this classification is the highest level of military and security cooperation that the U.S. grants to a country outside of NATO (Major Non-NATO Ally - MNNA).

It grants the classified country essential and significant advantages, particularly in terms of facilitating military and defense cooperation and the ability to purchase advanced American weapons under favorable conditions.

It also gives priority in obtaining defense equipment from the U.S. military, as well as access to defense research and development programs, and participation in joint projects to develop military technology.

Additionally, it allows for cooperation in the production of weapons and defense systems.

Moreover, this classification facilitates the allied country outside NATO's participation in training and exercises with the U.S. military, as well as logistical support and military funding.

This classification also enables the exchange of intelligence information and coordination of military operations.

"Extremely Important"

In this context, former U.S. official Amos Hochstein explained to Al Arabiya/Al Hadath that the United States needs strong partners, emphasizing that "Saudi Arabia is extremely important in this regard, as it is the largest country in the Gulf and one of the most important countries in the Islamic world and the Arab world."

For his part, former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense Mike Mulroy stated that Saudi Arabia's designation as a U.S. ally outside NATO and its peaceful nuclear cooperation enhances Riyadh's status as a strategic partner.

Mulroy also stressed in statements to Al Arabiya/Al Hadath that the approval to sell F-35 aircraft to Saudi Arabia is an exception that no other country in the Middle East has received.

During the Crown Prince's visit to America over the past two days, a strategic defense agreement was signed, along with a strategic partnership for artificial intelligence, a joint announcement on the completion of negotiations regarding cooperation in the field of civil nuclear energy, a strategic framework for cooperation in securing uranium supply chains and critical minerals, a strategic framework for facilitating procedures to accelerate Saudi investments, financial and economic partnership arrangements, arrangements related to cooperation in the financial markets sector, mutual recognition of U.S. federal vehicle safety standards, in addition to a memorandum of understanding in the field of education and training.