Khalid bin Salman
Saudi Arabia's defence minister since September 2022; former ambassador to Washington and F-15 pilot.
Prince Khalid bin Salman headed the Saudi defence team at the 5 October 2026 Riyadh meeting where The Kingdom, Turkey and Pakistan activated their Mecca mutual defence pact.
Last refreshed: 18 October 2026 · Appears in 1 active topic
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Timeline for Khalid bin Salman
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Iran Conflict 2026Background
Prince Khalid bin Salman took charge of Saudi Arabia's Defence Ministry on 27 September 2022, having served as deputy minister from 2019. From 2017 to 2019 he was The Kingdom's ambassador in Washington. Before that he flew F-15S jets in the Royal Saudi Air Force, until a back injury grounded him. He has chaired Saudi Arabian Military Industries since 2024.
Alongside Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan and General Fayyadh Al-Ruwaili, the chief of general staff, he took part in the pact's first activation that day. Afterwards he said the three allies had settled on joint deterrence measures against the attacks on the kingdom and whoever was behind them.
Under the pact, Ankara and Islamabad are to ready troops that can reach The Kingdom fast. The Saudi answer to Houthi strikes on its airports, which killed 13 at Riyadh's main airport on 10 and 11 October, therefore runs through his ministry.
Who is Khalid bin Salman?
What did Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan agree in Riyadh on 5 October 2026?
What is the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement?
Written with AI from Lowdown's published reporting. Not individually reviewed by an editor. Updated 18 October 2026. Editorial standards.