World Defense Show: Saudi Arabia’s Strategic Platform for Global Defense and Localization
When the doors of the World Defense Show (WDS) open in Riyadh in February 2026, the Kingdom will once again place itself at the center of the global defense dialogue. Established in 2022 under the auspices of the General Authority for Military Industries (GAMI), WDS has become more than a showcase for cutting-edge systems. It is a strategic enabler of Vision 2030, designed to accelerate the localization of defense spending, facilitate knowledge transfer, and cement Saudi Arabia’s position as a premier hub for defense innovation and collaboration.
A Show Growing in Scale and Impact
The growth of WDS has been nothing short of remarkable. The 2024 edition hosted 773 exhibitors from 76 countries, welcomed over 106,000 visitors from 141 nations, and facilitated SAR 26 billion (USD 6.9 billion) in signed deals. By any measure, these figures placed Riyadh among the world’s leading defense exhibition cities, alongside Paris, London, and Abu Dhabi.
The upcoming 2026 edition will span 273,000 square meters with the addition of a new fourth hall, representing a 58% increase in exhibition space, and with 75% of the floor space already secured nearly a year in advance. This expansion is both a reflection of global demand and of the Kingdom’s ambition to provide an immersive venue where land, air, sea, and space capabilities can be showcased in real-world scenarios.
As Andrew Pearcey, CEO of the World Defense Show, explained, “Designed from the outset to align with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, the event serves as a strategic enabler of national defense ambitions, particularly the goal of achieving 50% localization in military expenditures.”
Andrew Pearcey
CEO, World Defense Show
“[The World Defense Show] serves as a strategic enabler of national defense ambitions, particularly the goal of achieving 50% localization in military expenditures.”
Andrew Pearcey
CEO, World Defense Show
“[The World Defense Show] serves as a strategic enabler of national defense ambitions, particularly the goal of achieving 50% localization in military expenditures.”
Enabling Vision 2030: Localization at the Core
Central to WDS’s mission is its role in delivering on Vision 2030’s goal to localize 50% of Saudi defense spending by 2030. Saudi Arabia remains one of the world’s top defense spenders—USD 80.3 billion in 2024, ranking seventh globally—yet the government is determined to redirect a significant share of this spending toward domestic production and capability-building.
Thamer AlMuhid, CEO of Saudi Arabian Military Industries (SAMI), underscored the strategic importance of this agenda: “SAMI was established as Saudi Arabia’s National Defense and Security Champion with the core mandate of supporting Vision 2030’s goal of localizing 50% of the Kingdom’s defense spending. Since our inception, we have remained focused on delivering this mandate by building a robust and sustainable defense manufacturing ecosystem.”
Thamer AlMuhid
CEO, Saudi Arabian Military Industries (SAMI)
“SAMI was established as Saudi Arabia’s National Defense and Security Champion with the core mandate of supporting Vision 2030’s goal of localizing 50% of the Kingdom’s defense spending.”
Thamer AlMuhid
CEO, Saudi Arabian Military Industries (SAMI)
“SAMI was established as Saudi Arabia’s National Defense and Security Champion with the core mandate of supporting Vision 2030’s goal of localizing 50% of the Kingdom’s defense spending.”
For SAMI, WDS is an ideal stage to demonstrate progress. Over recent years, the company has developed advanced systems ranging from the HAZEM Naval Combat Management System to the Al-Rasid Ground Surveillance Radar and the eBARIQ Tactical Drone—all produced within Saudi Arabia. By leveraging WDS, SAMI not only exhibits these systems to global buyers but also secures new co-development partnerships that further accelerate localization.
Connecting the Global and the Local
The Saudi Supply Chain Zone, launched in recent editions of WDS, is one of the clearest manifestations of how the event integrates international primes with local SMEs. Andrew Pearcey explained: “The new Saudi Supply Chain Zone will be a particularly vital feature, offering a high-impact platform where SMEs and startups gain direct exposure to global buyers, investors, and policy influencers.”
The Saudi Supply Chain Zone, launched in recent editions of WDS, is one of the clearest manifestations of how the event integrates international primes with local SMEs. Andrew Pearcey explained: “The new Saudi Supply Chain Zone will be a particularly vital feature, offering a high-impact platform where SMEs and startups gain direct exposure to global buyers, investors, and policy influencers.”
Knowledge Transfer and Innovation
Unlike traditional exhibitions, WDS embeds knowledge transfer as part of its DNA. Through initiatives such as the “Meet the KSA Government” program and high-level content sessions, the event provides participants with direct access to policymakers and case studies from advanced defense markets like South Korea.
This emphasis on collaboration ensures that localization is not aspirational but actionable. Pearcey emphasized: “The Show also plays a vital knowledge exchange role… ensuring that localization is not merely aspirational, but actionable.”
SAMI mirrors this strategy through its growing portfolio of international partnerships. In 2024, the company signed memorandums of understanding with Turkish defense firms Baykar, Aselsan, and Fergani to localize technologies in drones, defense electronics, and aerospace. “Our partnerships are designed to go beyond technology transfer and are embedded within SAMI’s operations to support co-development, knowledge exchange, local assembly, and supply chain integration,” explained AlMuhid.
Building Human Capital
A defense ecosystem is only as strong as its people, and WDS actively contributes to the development of Saudi talent. Programs like the Future Talent Program and the upcoming “Defensethon” challenge provide pathways for Saudi youth to enter careers in engineering, cybersecurity, and advanced manufacturing.
“Human capital development is a foundational pillar of WDS’s long-term strategy,” Pearcey noted. “The Future Talent Program… serves as a gateway for young Saudis to explore career pathways in defense, engineering, cybersecurity, and advanced manufacturing.”
SAMI has mirrored this with major investments in training and workforce development. “Our workforce has grown to over 7,000 employees, with 71% Saudization. We are committed to investing in structured training, technical education, and leadership development that equip Saudi professionals to lead, operate, and grow the defense sector,” stated AlMuhid.
Regional and Global Reach
Beyond Saudi Arabia, WDS is strengthening its role as a regional nexus. Defense companies from across the GCC—including the UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, and Kuwait—participate actively, using the platform to align with international standards and explore interoperability. This regional integration enhances collective security and positions Saudi Arabia as the natural host for defense collaboration in the Middle East.
A Long-Term Legacy
Beyond Saudi Arabia, WDS is strengthening its role as a regional nexus. Defense companies from across the GCC—including the UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, and Kuwait—participate actively, using the platform to align with international standards and explore interoperability. This regional integration enhances collective security and positions Saudi Arabia as the natural host for defense collaboration in the Middle East.
