Italy and Saudi Arabia have signed an agreement to strengthen ties between the two countries and bring them to the level of strategic partnership. The signature came as part of a visit to the Saudi Kingdom by Prime Minister Meloni and a meeting with Crown Prince and de facto ruler of Saudi Arabia, Mohamed Bin Salman, aka MBS.
The agreement kicks off a structured cooperation between the two countries covering all sectors, from the political level to trade ties. Rome and Riyadh, therefore, will work together to support the new political process in Syria, in assisting Lebanon and in the reconstruction of Gaza, reaffirming, as far as the latter is concerned, the common will to facilitate the ‘two peoples, two states’ solution. Saudi Arabia will also guarantee financial support for the implementation of the Italian Mattei Energy Plan for Africa.
In short, Saudi Arabia is looking for new relations to diversify and loosen its dependence on the US, while Italy is aiming to expand its influence in the Gulf, strengthening its relationship with a Kingdom increasingly projected towards the future.
In the military sector, several agreements have been signed by Leonardo, ELT Group and Fincantieri with local bodies such as GAMI (General Authority for Military Industries), the body responsible for regulations and the allocation of military expenditure, SAMI (Saudi Arabian Military Industries), the state holding including several defence companies in the Kingdom, Shamal, a company with deep ties with the Foreign Minister, Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al-Saud, etc., to further develop existing relations.
As known, an assessment is currently underway by the three GCAP partner countries, Italy, Japan and the UK, concerning the Saudi request for access to the programme, while negotiations are ongoing for the purchase of a second batch of Eurofighter TYPHOON fighters (48-56 aircraft).
In particular, the configuration of the aircraft is being discussed - whether with P3E or P4E (Phase 3 Enhancement and Phase 4 Enhancement) software release, the latter characterised by the CAPTOR-E Mk2 radar - on which the production and delivery schedules obviously also depend. But there are also great opportunities in the helicopter sector - NH-90, above all, but not only - and in the naval sector. In the latter, there is a requirement for four new light frigates and the RFI (Request For Information) sent to industry to which Fincantieri responded with the FCX-30 design. In general, the potential orders is worth over €10 billion.
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