Italy and Saudi Arabia strengthen military cooperation: visit of Air Force Gen. Carmine Masiello to Riyadh

Riyadh, April 2025 - From 14 to 17 April, a significant institutional mission of the Army Corps General Carmine Masiello, Chief of Staff of the Italian Army, in Saudi Arabiato consolidate and strengthen the already strong ties between the Italian and Saudi Armed Forces. A key moment to reaffirm Italy's role as a strategic partner in the Gulf region, through cooperation that looks to the future of global security.

A strategic dialogue between allied armies

During the visit, Gen. C.A. Masiello was received at the Royal Saudi Arabian Land Force Commandwhere he met the Lt. Gen. Fahd bin Saud bin Dhuwaihir AL-JUHNI, Comandante delle Forze Terrestri saudite. L’incontro ha incluso un operational briefing on the capabilities and organisation of Saudi forceswhich was followed by an interview with the Saudi Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Fayyad bin Hammed AL RUWAILI.

During the discussion, the Chief of the EMS emphasised the value of cooperation between the two armed forces, stating:

"Military cooperation is one of the many pillars that strengthen the deep friendship between our countries. Sharing the values of dialogue, acceptance and respect for others as well as common responsibilities to ensure peace and international stability enrich the prospects for enhancing bilateral relations between the two armies. We are ready for a structured plan of action, with shared priorities, starting with the training sector as a flywheel to deepen mutual knowledge and grow together, questioning emerging challenges and future scenarios".

Training and exchanges: the new priorities

One of the central points of the mission was the launch of a structured action planbased on shared priorities. Prominent among these is the training sectoras an engine for joint growth and mutual understanding.

On the second day of the visit, Gen. Masiello went to the National Defence University Saudi Arabia, where he met the Maj. Gen. Mohammed Jadou AL RUWAILIpresident of the university, and visited the teaching facilities. Following this, he stopped at the prestigious King Abdulaziz Military Academy, engaging with the Maj. Gen. Ali bin Saleh AL-HUDHAIFCommander of the Academy.

In both cases, the dialogue focused on academic exchange programmes and joint trainingfostering the skills development of Saudi Arabian personnel and the entry into training courses in Italyat Italian military institutes of excellence.

Technology, joint exercises and the defence industry

In addition to the training aspects, the mission addressed issues related to strengthening industrial and technological cooperation. The possibility of participation in bilateral exercisesas well as the initiation of collaborations aimed at development of new operational capabilitiesin synergy with the Italian defence industry.

This approach aims to developing innovative solutions for shared challenges in modern geopolitical scenarios, strengthening the stability and regional securityin line with the needs of the two nations.

A diplomatic bond that looks to the future

The visit ended with a official dinner at the residence of the Italian Ambassador in Riyadh, H.E. Carlo Baldoccitestifying to theimportance of diplomatic dialogue and institutional understanding between the two countries.

Gen. C.A. Masiello's trip to Saudi Arabia represents a concrete step towards comprehensive strategic cooperation, che coinvolge non solo gli aspetti militari, ma anche quelli educativi, industriali e tecnologici. Un’intesa che contribuisce alla international peace and the collective securityconfirming Italy as a trusted interlocutor in the global defence scenario.