On November 2 2026, Prince Khalid bin Salman, Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Defence, connected by phone with Richard Marles, Australia’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence, to discuss ways to strengthen defence cooperation between the two friendly countries. The call was described by the Saudi Press Agency as a "telephone conversation" aimed at "enhancing cooperation and coordination" in the defence field.
During the discussion, both ministers reaffirmed a shared commitment to addressing current regional challenges and supporting security and stability. They jointly condemned the recent Houthi terrorist attacks on the Kingdom, stating that such actions threaten both national and regional safety. The Saudi Press Agency noted that the conversation "reaffirmed their commitment to addressing contemporary regional challenges" while condemning the Houthi attacks.
The exchange highlighted the growing diplomatic and strategic partnership between Riyadh and Canberra. Although the Saudi Press Agency is the sole outlet that reported the specifics of the call, its coverage aligns with earlier statements by Saudi officials who have repeatedly emphasized the importance of close defence ties with Australia.
