Saudi Defense: The Maritime Defense Coalition Holds Fourth Planning Meeting in Jeddah with Participation of Representatives from 41 Countries
The Saudi Ministry of Defense announced that the multinational Maritime Defense Coalition held its fourth planning meeting in Jeddah, with the participation of naval commanders and representatives from 41 countries. The ministry stated that the “Maritime Defense Coalition is now operating in the phase of capability integration and operational readiness.”
In an official statement, Saudi Defense said, “The fourth planning meeting of the multinational Maritime Defense Coalition was held on Thursday at the Western Fleet Command in Jeddah Province. The meeting was attended by 154 naval commanders, planners, ambassadors, and representatives of the European Union, representing 41 friendly and sister nations. This comes as the Coalition continues its transition from the establishment phase to actual operations, having reached the Initial Operational Capability (IOC) stage. It is now operating in the phase of capability integration and readiness for operational execution and actual presence in the maritime operational area.”
The statement added that the meeting discussed recent developments and achievements during the previous phase, as well as progress in countries joining the Coalition. During this phase, several countries signed the Charter and the Joint Statement. There are currently 28 liaison officers, alongside discussions on joint operational requirements and the determination of capability contributions from participating nations. These efforts support coordinated and integrated multinational defensive operational execution and enhance the Coalition’s operational readiness.
The fourth planning meeting represents an advanced stage in the Coalition’s trajectory, as focus shifts to enhancing operational readiness and preparing for work under a unified command, leading to deployment and the commencement of operational missions in the Area of Responsibility. This transition is based on the understanding that protecting freedom of navigation, sea lanes, and straits constitutes a shared international interest requiring effective partnership, diverse capabilities, and collective response.
The Coalition works to support the security and safety of maritime navigation in accordance with international law, within a multinational operational environment based on unified command, capability integration, information sharing, and coordinated efforts to confront threats targeting the security of navigation and sea lanes in the Area of Responsibility.
