Saudi Arabia Becomes the 20th Major Non-NATO Ally of the United States

The United States has officially granted Saudi Arabia the status of a major non-NATO ally, raising Washington–Riyadh relations to a new strategic level.

President Donald Trump announced this during a formal White House banquet held in honor of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Politico reports.

This status allows Saudi Arabia to participate in joint research and development programs with the U.S. Department of Defense and enables Saudi defense companies to bid on contracts to service American systems outside the United States.

The decision was accompanied by the signing of several strategic agreements in the areas of defense, civil nuclear energy, artificial intelligence, and critical minerals.

The status of a Major Non-NATO Ally (MNNA) is a legal designation used by the U.S. government for a country that is not a NATO member but receives certain military and security-related benefits. This status does not create automatic U.S. defense obligations, unlike those provided to NATO members.

Countries with MNNA status are eligible to participate in joint Pentagon research and development programs, gain access to specific U.S. defense technologies, and benefit from streamlined military procurement procedures.

They may receive excess U.S. military equipment on a priority basis and host U.S. war reserve stockpiles on their territory. The status also allows companies from the partner country to compete for U.S. Department of Defense contracts related to the maintenance or repair of American military equipment outside the United States.

Militarnyi previously reported that the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump is considering Saudi Arabia’s request to purchase up to 48 F-35 fifth-generation fighter jets.