The World Defense Show 2026 officially opened in Riyadh on February 9, 2026, under the patronage of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. His Royal Highness Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Minister of Defense and Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of the General Authority for Military Industries (GAMI), inaugurated the third edition of the exhibition on behalf of the King.
The World Defense Show, organized by GAMI, runs until February 12, 2026, and has attracted participation from more than 1,486 entities representing 89 countries. The event serves as a strategic platform bringing together leading manufacturers, innovators, and investors in the global defense and security sectors.
Royal Patronage and Strategic Vision
Upon arrival at the venue, His Royal Highness was received by senior officials including Prince Abdulrahman bin Mohammed bin Ayyaf, Deputy Minister of Defense, and Eng. Ahmad bin Abdulaziz Al-Ohali, Governor of GAMI and Chairman of the Show’s Supervisory Committee. The inauguration ceremony commenced with the Royal Anthem, followed by remarks from Al-Ohali expressing gratitude to the Kingdom’s leadership for their continued support since the exhibition’s launch in 2022.
“The exhibition has developed into a strategic platform bringing together leading manufacturers, innovators, and investors, reflecting the strong support provided to the defense and security sectors under Saudi Vision 2030.”
Eng. Ahmad Al-Ohali, Governor of GAMI
Major Initiatives and International Partnerships
During his tour of the exhibition facilities, His Royal Highness inaugurated several key initiatives at the Saudi Arabian Military Industries (SAMI) pavilion. These included SAMI Land Systems Company, the SAMI Industrial Complex for Land Systems, the HEET armoured vehicle project, SAMI Unmanned Systems Company, and the RUKN Programme supporting local content and supply chain development in the military industries sector.
The Minister of Defense also witnessed the signing of multiple memoranda of understanding with international partners. These agreements included cooperation frameworks with the Republic of Korea on defense research and innovation, with the Slovak Republic on defense cooperation, with Malaysia on bilateral defense collaboration, and with the Federal Republic of Somalia on military cooperation.
Localization Progress and Economic Impact
The Governor of GAMI emphasized the exhibition’s role in advancing the Kingdom’s defense industry towards global leadership. He highlighted significant progress in localization efforts aligned with Vision 2030 targets, noting that military expenditure localization has increased from 4 percent in 2018 to approximately 25 percent by the end of 2024, with a goal of exceeding 50 percent by 2030.
Licensed and authorized facilities reached approximately 344 by the end of the third quarter of 2025, alongside 603 issued licenses and permits covering military manufacturing, supply, and services. The Authority aims for the sector’s contribution to GDP to reach approximately SAR 94 billion by 2030, supporting the creation of around 40,000 direct jobs and 60,000 indirect jobs.
Future Outlook for Defense Industry
The World Defense Show 2026 represents a critical milestone in Saudi Arabia’s journey toward establishing a sustainable domestic defense manufacturing sector. The exhibition provides an environment that strengthens engagement among participants, advances international partnerships, and supports technology transfer, workforce development, industrial capacity building, and supply chain integration. These efforts align with the Kingdom’s broader strategic objectives under Vision 2030 to diversify the economy and enhance national security capabilities.