NEW DELHI: France will deploy military personnel, radar systems and air-defence equipment to Saudi Arabia to help protect the strategic oil hub of Yanbu on the Red Sea, French President Emmanuel Macron said.

Macron said the deployment was agreed with Saudi Arabia and would be aimed at protecting the energy facility rather than involving French forces directly in the wider conflict. The exact number of troops and the timing of their deployment were not immediately disclosed.

The move comes amid heightened security concerns around Saudi Arabia's energy infrastructure following attacks attributed to Yemen's Houthi movement. Saudi authorities have reported intercepting ballistic missiles targeting areas including Yanbu and Taif.

Yanbu is an important outlet for Saudi oil exports to global markets. Recent attacks on the kingdom's East-West Pipeline disrupted crude shipments through the Red Sea port, prompting Saudi Arabia to increase exports through its eastern Gulf terminals and the Strait of Hormuz.

France's deployment comes as Paris is also seeking greater international coordination to protect commercial shipping and energy supplies amid continuing instability in the Middle East.