Background

The October 2024 EU–GCC Summit joint statement emphasised regional security and cooperation but did not explore deeper defence cooperation in research and development, technology, and personnel. This leaves room for a more ambitious dialogue on aligning EU and GCC defence objectives.

Saudi Arabia and Germany have a history of defence cooperation, including in multinational security operations, arms sales such as Eurofighter Typhoons and patrol boats, and a discontinued training programme for Saudi Border Guards.⁸ However, these relations have been repeatedly disrupted by German concerns over human rights, particularly linked to Saudi involvement in the war in Yemen, prompting measures such as the 2018 arms export ban, in addition to blocking or delaying deals, including for Leopard tanks, additional Eurofighters, and some naval systems.⁹ While Berlin recently resumed limited exports, such as 150 IRIS-T missiles for the Saudi Eurofighter fleet, these recurring setbacks underscore how domestic political pressures in Germany and differing priorities between the countries have prevented the predictability needed for deeper, long-term cooperation.¹⁰

Despite these challenges, Saudi leaders have sought to insulate broader relations from disagreements over defence and human-rights policy. In 2017, then-Deputy Minister of Economy and current Royal Court Advisor Mohammed Al Tuwaijri stated that Germany’s export ban would not affect Saudi Arabia’s pursuit of wider cooperation with Berlin, underscoring Riyadh’s prioritisation of its economic relationship with Germany. ¹¹Now, as both countries increasingly align on the need for stronger, diversified partnerships in a changing global order, an opportunity exists to codify and institutionalise defence cooperation, whether in armament or related fields. Building these institutional links will be key to creating a more stable, aligned partnership moving forward.

Recommendations

A resilient, future-oriented Saudi–German defence partnership that institutionalises cooperation would serve the interests of both countries. This partnership should not only be robust against political fluctuations, but also serve as a blueprint for broader EU–GCC integration in security and defence, demonstrating how strengthened bilateral cooperation can catalyse regional progress, akin to the idea of differentiated integration in the EU.¹² This vision is not limited to one sector but spans armament, emerging technologies, space, and education, each serving as a pillar for a more robust and future-proof partnership.

Space and Technology

The European Space Agency and the Arab Space Cooperation Group

A unified vision for Saudi–German and broader EU–GCC cooperation in space and technology should focus on building resilient, dual–use capabilities that address shared security, economic, and scientific challenges. Deeper collaboration between the European Space Agency (ESA) and the Arab Space Cooperation Group is not only symbolic, but strategically vital: space technologies underpin climate monitoring, disaster response, and secure communications, and are increasingly essential for defence – enabling intelligence, surveillance, and early warning systems.¹³ By pooling ESA’s advanced technical and project-management expertise with the Arab Group’s regional integration and rapid innovation, both sides can enhance their strategic autonomy and resilience in an era of global uncertainty.¹⁴ To operationalise this vision, practical cooperation could involve establishing a joint coordination office or working group with partners such as ESA, the German Aerospace Centre (DLR), the UAE Space Agency, and Saudi Arabia’s King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST). Regular institutional exchanges – like annual conferences, technical workshops, and joint research centres – would ensure that initiatives are robust, politically anchored, and aligned with both regions’ strategic goals, providing a unified blueprint for future–oriented security and technology cooperation between Europe and the Gulf.

Horizon Europe associated countries

Building on the previous recommendation to leverage space cooperation as a driver for broader EU–GCC engagement, the 2026 EU–GCC Summit presents a timely opportunity to elevate Saudi Arabia’s status to that of an associated country under Horizon Europe, the EU’s flagship research and innovation programme. The EU offers Horizon Europe membership to certain countries that are geographically close or aligned in values and goals.¹⁵ In this context, the EU has begun to recognise the value of pragmatic ties with GCC states, given shared interests in regional security, similar ecological priorities such as decarbonisation and climate-change adaptation, and appreciation for domestic socioeconomic transformations occurring across the Arabian Peninsula. Elevating Saudi Arabia to associated-country status under Horizon Europe would open the door to full participation in cutting–edge research, technology, and defence projects across the EU. This step is not only about scientific exchange; it is the foundation for dual–use innovation, allowing Saudi and German institutions to co–fund, lead, and scale up joint initiatives in fields directly relevant to both civilian and defence needs. The networks and trust built through Horizon Europe participation would directly feed into more advanced industrial and operational cooperation, while also aligning both countries with EU–wide standards and best practices. Joining Horizon Europe before its expiry in 2027 would position Saudi Arabia to participate in its larger successor, Framework Programme 10 (FP10), upon its launch in 2028.¹⁶

Armament and Defence Cooperation

Armament

A future-oriented defence procurement framework between Saudi Arabia and Germany would insulate cooperation from short-term political fluctuations, addressing the recurring challenge of export pauses and policy uncertainty. Ideally, this would take the form of a strategic partnership that legally safeguards the integrity of bilateral defence contracts. As a stepping stone, Germany could link armament deals to shared, goal-specific priorities – such as chemical and biological weapons defence and air defence – anchoring them in measurable objectives and institutional support to ensure contractual continuity, regardless of political shifts. Such a framework would give Saudi Arabia the reliability needed for long-term capability planning and make German defence supplies more attractive, while providing German industry with demand certainty for investment and innovation. The institutional trust and predictability fostered here are essential prerequisites for deeper collaboration on complex, next-generation systems, and would ensure that research and innovation outcomes from Horizon Europe can translate into tangible industrial projects.

Collaboration on next-generation combat systems

Saudi Arabia strongly desires to join next-generation aircraft development programmes and has been negotiating to join the UK-led Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP), with a strong emphasis on localisation.¹⁷ Germany, together with France and Spain, is part of a similar, trilateral Future Combat Air System (FCAS) programme, which aims to develop a next-generation fighter jet along with associated unmanned and missile systems. While full membership in FCAS may prove difficult, given that such multinational programmes are often riddled with contention in their early stages, a practical stepping stone for Saudi–German ties would be to build smaller bilateral partnerships on systems development with Saudi institutions such as KACST and Saudi Arabian Military Industries (SAMI).¹⁸ Over time, this could facilitate Saudi participation in larger and more advanced next-generation systems programmes. For instance, a medium-term objective in this regard could constitute Saudi involvement in the German-led Main Ground Combat System (MGCS) programme, which focuses on building the future main battle tank.¹⁹ Targeted bilateral projects can leverage the dual–use technologies and institutional trust developed through Horizon Europe and contract frameworks. These projects would drive both sides' technological advancement and industrial growth, in addition to demonstrating practical pathways for operational interoperability and capability sharing, further reinforcing the bilateral and EU–GCC security architecture.