Saudi-led maritime defence alliance gains 13 formal members

Thirteen countries have formally joined a Saudi-led multinational maritime defence alliance following a planning meeting in Jeddah. While 15 nations have signed the coalition’s joint statement, 13 have completed the domestic procedures required for formal membership. The alliance aims to strengthen maritime security, protect vital shipping routes, and safeguard freedom of navigation amidst high regional tensions. Saudi Arabia will appoint the coalition’s commander, while Pakistan is set to serve as the deputy commander during the alliance’s initial phase.

The security situation remains critical for regional economies. Kuwait, which holds approximately 6% of global oil reserves, faces a strategic vulnerability due to the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. Unlike Saudi Arabia or the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait lacks pipelines to bypass the strait, making its oil exports—which generate over 90% of its public revenue—highly susceptible to regional conflict. The Kuwait Petroleum Company (KPC) has previously invoked ‘force majeure’ due to the impact of regional hostilities on its operations.