World Defense Show announces larger, tech-focused 2026 edition
To be held from Feb. 8-12, 2026 in Riyadh, WDS will showcase the latest advancements in defense technologies across all five defense domains — air, land, sea, space, and security. Building on the success of its two prior editions, WDS 2026 will bring together global defense stakeholders to further foster collaboration, innovation, and international partnerships to strengthen global defense capabilities. WDS contributes to Saudi Arabia's growth in the defense sector and is aligned with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030 to localize 50 percent of defense spending in the Kingdom.
WDS 2026 will span 273,000 square meters of exhibition space, including a new fourth hall. Since its inception in 2022, the area of exhibition stands has seen a considerable 58 percent growth. WDS 2026, in its third edition, is set to be even bigger and has received global participation with 65 percent of exhibition stands already sold.
Attendees can experience several world-class features, take part in strategic networking opportunities, engage in discussions on crucial topics transforming the defense landscape, and view dynamic live and static displays at the expanded 2026 venue.
Andrew Pearcey, CEO of WDS, said: 'We are excited to announce that WDS 2026 is surpassing the success of the previous edition. The 2026 show will be larger in size and expanded in scope, with increased international and local participation, expanded exhibition space, and a stronger focus on technological advancements, zooming in on unmanned systems and naval. WDS has introduced a range of important new features to promote further integration across the full spectrum of defense operations and deliver attendees another unmatched experience.'
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Arab News
5 days ago
- Arab News
Saudi Arabia's drive to build a defense powerhouse
JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia's military equipment manufacturing sector is undergoing a significant expansion, emerging as a pivotal element of the Kingdom's Vision 2030 economic diversification strategy to boost domestic industrial capacity. Supported by robust government backing, strategic global partnerships, and growing local innovation, the defense industry is becoming a critical contributor to national security and a promising source of non-oil revenue. Under Vision 2030, Saudi Arabia aims to localize 50 percent of its military spending by the end of the decade. The sector's regulator, the General Authority for Military Industries, reported notable progress, with localization rising from 4 percent in 2018 to 19.35 percent in 2024 — reflecting steady advances toward self-sufficiency in defense manufacturing. The Kingdom's military expenditure reached $75.8 billion in 2024, according to official estimates, representing 3.1 percent of global defense spending. Using its own methodology, the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute estimates the figure slightly higher at $80.3 billion. The country has allocated about $78 billion for the military sector in its 2025 budget — 21 percent of government spending and 7.2 percent of gross domestic product — supporting its goals to diversify the economy and reduce oil dependence. GAMI is driving efforts to attract investment, support small and medium-sized enterprises, and develop a strong defense industry spanning aerospace, armored vehicles, and missile systems, as well as electronic warfare, and UAVs — boosting both national security and long-term industrial growth. Global defense spending hits $2.7tn According to its April 2024 report Trends in World Military Expenditure, SIPRI said global military spending exceeded $2.7 trillion in 2024, marking a decade of continuous annual growth and a 37 percent increase between 2015 and 2024. 'The 9.4 percent increase in 2024 was the steepest year-on-year rise since at least 1988. The global military burden — the share of the world's GDP devoted to military expenditure — increased to 2.5 percent in 2024. Average military expenditure as a share of government expenditure rose to 7.1 percent in 2024, and world military spending per person was the highest since 1990, at $334,' the report added. The US, China, Russia, Germany, and India are the top five military spenders, making up 60 percent of global defense expenditure. The US leads with $997 billion — more than three times China's $314 billion, while Russia's spending rose 38 percent to $149 billion. Germany and India spent $88.5 billion and $86.1 billion, respectively. SIPRI estimated Middle East military spending at $243 billion in 2024, up 15 percent from 2023. Saudi Arabia led the region with $80.3 billion, ranking seventh globally, just $1.5 billion behind the UK. 'Its spending was 1.5 percent higher than in 2023 but 20 percent lower than in 2015 when its oil revenues peaked,' the independent institute said. Sector key to economic diversification Khaled Ramadan, chairman of the International Center for Strategic Studies in Cairo and an economic expert, described the Saudi military industries sector as a cornerstone of the country's economic diversification efforts and a vital pillar of Vision 2030. 'Localizing military industries reduces reliance on imported weapons,' Ramadan said, emphasizing the sector's role beyond defense. 'It also supports advanced industries such as electronics, telecommunications, aviation technology, and advanced manufacturing, contributing broadly to non-oil economic growth.' amadan projected the military manufacturing sector will contribute SR14 billion ($3.7 billion) to the Kingdom's GDP by 2030, with military exports expected to reach $666 million. 'This will boost non-oil revenues and create more job opportunities for Saudi youth,' he said. He also said the sector had 300 licensed firms by 2024, reflecting rising investor interest, with 40,000 jobs expected by 2030, mainly in technical fields like engineering and electronics. 'This is in addition to skills development through specialized training programs conducted in partnership with global institutions to enhance competencies in technologies such as artificial intelligence and cyber warfare,' he said, adding the sector's growth boosts demand in manufacturing and tech, supports private jobs, cuts unemployment, and promotes hiring of young Saudis. Qualitative partnerships and technology transfer In May, Saudi Arabia produced its first THAAD missile components with US-based aerospace and defense company Lockheed Martin, while agreements with Turkish firms Baykar, Fergani Space, and Aselsan will boost UAV, space, and defense electronics capabilities. Moreover, the launch of BAE Systems Arabian Industries, formed by merging BAE Systems Saudi Development and Training with the Saudi Maintenance and Supply Chain Management Co., aims to accelerate localization in maintenance and technical services. Highlighting how vital global collaborations are to Saudi Arabia's military manufacturing goals, Ramadan pointed to partnerships with leaders like Lockheed Martin for THAAD missile components, Boeing for aircraft support, and France's CMN for HSI32 fast interceptor boats, providing access to advanced technologies and expertise. 'These partnerships are examples of a balanced strategy combining foreign technology acquisition with domestic capacity building,' he said. This approach is supported by the establishment of 21 research centers focused on developing military technologies, especially in electronic warfare and drones, targeted for 2030. Ramadan said local and foreign investments in military manufacturing are projected to reach SR37.5 billion by 2030, with SR6 billion allocated by GAMI specifically for research and development. He added that domestic military procurement has already reached SR13 billion, with local production covering drones, defense systems developed by sustainability-focused firms, and fast interceptor boats. Despite this progress, Ramadan said that achieving localization goals will require intensified investments and overcoming legal and technical obstacles. Talent development and inclusion Launched by Saudi Arabian Military Industries in 2024, the Women in Defense program supports sector growth by empowering Saudi females through training and leadership initiatives. Overall, the military industries sector is expected to generate 60,000 indirect job opportunities by the end of the decade, supporting broader economic diversification goals. The economic expert described this initiative as part of SAMI's broader collaboration with international universities to enhance national expertise in engineering and advanced manufacturing. Ramadan said that the sector's expansion is expected to create thousands of jobs, particularly in high-demand areas such as engineering and electronics, while driving the need for labor in related industries and strengthening private sector participation. SAMI's transformation as a catalyst SAMI marked 2024 as a turning point, launching the Kingdom's first combat management system, expanding its workforce to over 7,000, and securing global partnerships. Echoing Ramadan's insights, Youssef Saidi, research fellow at the Economic Research Forum and a member of the Saudi Economic Association, told Arab News that the Kingdom is undertaking ambitious and wide-ranging initiatives to attract foreign investment into the defense sector. 'The Saudi Arabian Military Industries is leading these efforts through strengthening strategic partnerships and joint ventures with major global companies,' Saidi said, adding that the Kingdom is firmly committed to technology transfer, local defense manufacturing, and investing in national talent and research and development as integral parts of international defense contracts. He further said that GAMI is working to foster an attractive investment climate, support manufacturers, and leverage Saudi Arabia's considerable defense spending to position the Kingdom as both a regional hub and a global exporter of military products. Reflecting on SAMI's development, Saidi highlighted the company's 'profound transformation and rapid growth' since its establishment, which has made it a cornerstone of Vision 2030. 'SAMI has achieved remarkable growth in its revenues and contracts, expanded its employee base by 633 percent to reach 2,500 male and female employees by 2022, and successfully entered the list of top 100 global defense companies, advancing 19 places to rank 79 in 2023,' he said. Saidi added that, supported by the Kingdom's status as one of the world's top defense spenders, these efforts have shifted Saudi Arabia from a major arms importer into an ambitious, self-reliant player and trusted partner, making it an 'international prize' for global defense companies seeking strategic and profitable partnerships.
Arab News
28-07-2025
- Arab News
World Defense Show 2026: More global reach, new features
World Defense Show, founded by the General Authority for Military Industries in Saudi Arabia, announced that it has already secured 90 percent of its exhibitor space for its upcoming 2026 edition. This announcement coincides with WDS's attendance at the International Defense Industry Fair 2025 in Istanbul, Turkiye, where the WDS team is engaging with key Turkish defense stakeholders. Turkiye is the third largest participating country at WDS 2026, with Turkish exhibitors currently occupying 4,400 square meters of exhibition space. Turkish participation is expected to grow considerably from 2024 to 2026, underscoring the significant global momentum building behind WDS as a premier defense exhibition. Taking place from Feb. 8-12, 2026, in Riyadh, WDS 2026, held under the theme of 'The Future of Defense Integration,' will once again serve as a vital platform for showcasing the latest advancements across all five defense domains — air, land, sea, space, and security. Building on the success of its previous editions, WDS 2026 is attracting unprecedented interest from both local and international defense stakeholders. WDS 2026 is expected to feature exhibitor participation from an estimated 80 countries, including new participants such as but not limited to, Japan, Portugal, Uzbekistan and Finland. Expanded global reach further solidifies WDS's position as a truly international platform for collaboration and innovation. countries, including new participants such as Japan, Portugal, Uzbekistan and Finland, will participate in World Defense Show 2026. Andrew Pearcey, CEO of WDS, said: 'The overwhelming demand for exhibition space is a testament to the show's growing reputation as a must-attend event for those shaping the next era of defense and global security. Our presence at IDEF provides an excellent opportunity to connect with key industry players and highlight the remarkable progress we've made in preparing for WDS 2026.' Additionally, WDS 2026 has unveiled its Content Theater themes, a key show feature held on Days 2-5 of the event. Attendees can anticipate engaging presentations exploring critical topics driving the industry. There will be insightful discussions on themes such as: Translating Operational Requirements into Technological Advantage, Accelerating Breakthrough Technologies in Defense, Integrating and Operationalizing Emerging Technologies at Speed, and Powering National Production and Defense Exports. The Content Theater program complements a suite of show features, including the new Future Defense Lab, Unmanned Systems Zone, Naval Zone, Saudi Supply Chain Zone, and WDS News Network. With limited space remaining, organizers are encouraging interested exhibitors to secure their participation as soon as possible.
Arab News
28-07-2025
- Arab News
World Defense Show 2026 sells 90% of exhibitor space
RIYADH: The World Defense Show 2026 in Riyadh from Feb. 8 to 12 has sold 90 percent of its exhibition space, according to the organizers. Andrew Pearcey, CEO of the WDS, said: 'The overwhelming demand for exhibition space is a testament to the show's growing reputation as a must-attend event for those shaping the next era of defense and global security.' He said the presence of WDS officials at the recent International Defence Industry Fair provided 'an excellent opportunity to connect with key industry players and highlight the remarkable progress we've made in preparing for WDS 2026.' Pearcey was speaking at IDEF 2025 last week in Istanbul where the team met with key Turkish defense stakeholders. Expanded from its first and second editions, the WDS will feature several new sections, with an additional hall increasing floor space to 273,000 sq. meters, more than 58 percent larger than the first edition in 2022. Held under the theme 'The Future of Defense Integration,' the WDS will showcase the latest advancements across all five defense domains — air, land, sea, space, and security. The show is expected to feature exhibitor participation from 80 countries, including new participants Japan, Portugal, Uzbekistan and Finland. Turkiye is the third largest participating country, with Turkish exhibitors currently occupying 4,400 sq. meters of exhibition space. According to the organizers, Turkish participation is expected to grow exponentially. New programs in the upcoming edition will include a defense and security industry lab, and an exhibition of future technologies. A Saudi Arabia supply-chain zone will allow local small- and medium-sized enterprises to network with key global players. Several panel discussions will be held at the show including on technology, manufacturing and trade. Organized by Saudi Arabia's General Authority for Military Industries, the event is a key part of the Kingdom's ambition to localize 50 percent of its defense spending by 2030. Founded by the General Authority for Military Industries in Saudi Arabia, the first edition was held in 2022 on the outskirts of Riyadh. It attracted 600 exhibitors from 42 countries, 82 military and defense delegations, and 65,000 visitors from 85 countries.
