Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Saudi Deputy Minister of Defense, and his accompanying delegation have arrived in Moscow on an official visit to participate in the 8th International Security Conference and hold several meetings.

Upon his arrival, he was received by Saudi Ambassador to Russian Dr. Raed Qarmali, and a number of Senior civilian and military officials, Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported.

The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation is organizing the annual Conference on International Security, which is held in Moscow on April 23-25, 2019.

The Conference agenda encompasses the problems of utmost significance in terms of shaping views on the international security. Separate plenary sessions will offer space to exchange views on modern military challenges and threats, including the improvement of the arms control system. Situation in the Middle East will be discussed with an emphasis on nation-wide stabilization of Syria. Subject-matter panel sessions will consider peacekeeping, military-to-military engagements, regional security in Asia, Africa and Latin America.

Along with traditional plenary sessions and panel discussions, a series of “round tables” to expand meaningful views exchange among experts are also arranged.

The Conference participants will enjoy familiarization tour of the Military-patriotic recreation park of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation “Patriot” (Kubinka, Moscow Region), according to the Organizers.

On 23 February 2019, Saudi Deputy King Prince Mohammed bin Salman issued a royal decree appointing Prince Khaled bin Salman as the Kingdom’s Deputy Defense Minister. 

Prince Khaled, Saudi Arabia’s former Ambassador in Washington, graduated from the King Faisal Air Academy in Riyadh and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Royal Saudi Air Force (RSAF). 

He received his initial pilot training at Randolph Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas, and advanced training at Columbus Air Force Base in Columbus, Mississippi. He also studied Advanced Electronic Warfare in France.

Previously, he was an F-15 pilot and tactical intelligence officer in the RSAF. 

Before a back injury ended his flying career, Prince Khaled flew more than 50 combat missions as part of the international coalition campaign against Daesh in Syria and as part of Operations Decisive Storm and Renewal of Hope in Yemen.