France says it has begun implementing a pledge to protect Saudi energy infrastructure, as a reported Saudi request for air defenses highlights pressure on systems also needed to address European capability gaps.
France’s Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs said Oct. 15 that work had started on the commitment, with the Yanbu East-West corridor singled out. The ministry cited radar and interceptor capabilities as examples of the pledge’s military component. It directed questions about specific equipment and timing to the Ministry of the Armed Forces.
An August declaration between France and Saudi Arabia covered broader defense cooperation, including armaments and training. France has not announced a public schedule for the support.
The Associated Press reported Sept. 16, citing two anonymous regional officials, that Saudi Arabia had sought air-defense deployments from France, Britain, Pakistan and Egypt. One official said U.S. interceptor stocks had fallen during the war with Iran. The reported request came before the Oct. 10 attack on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh.
Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) said the airport attack killed 12 people and injured 309. The Associated Press reported on Oct. 12, citing two anonymous officials, that at least 13 people had been killed and more than 300 injured, giving a different death toll. AP also reported that the Saudi-led coalition blamed the Houthis. The Houthis said the strike was retaliation for Saudi military action in Yemen, according to EconoTimes’ earlier coverage of the Riyadh attack.
At their Oct. 15-16 summit, European Union leaders called for action to reduce major gaps in defense capacity and expand defense-industry ties with Ukraine. Their conclusions also condemned Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia and called for more international assistance.
The National reported that unnamed defense sources and military experts viewed a reduction in British and French air-defense assets in Eastern Europe as a potential risk to deterring Russia in the Baltics. No transfer from Eastern Europe has been publicly announced. France’s Foreign Ministry referred questions about equipment and deployment timing to the Ministry of the Armed Forces.
