World Defense Show 2026 strengthens international position with 90 percent of space already booked.

The third edition of the World Defense Show (WDS), organized by Saudi Arabia’s General Authority for Military Industries (GAMI), is scheduled to take place from February 8 to 12, 2026, in Riyadh. As of July 2025, the event has already sold 90 percent of its exhibitor space. This announcement was made during WDS's participation in IDEF 2025 in Istanbul, Türkiye, where the team is meeting Turkish defense stakeholders. Türkiye, which is currently the third-largest national participant at WDS 2026, has secured 4,400 square meters of exhibition space. This represents an increase compared to its 2024 presence, and Turkish involvement is expected to continue growing. WDS 2026 will be held under the theme “The Future of Defense Integration” and aims to serve as a platform for technologies across air, land, sea, space, and security domains.
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Building on its inaugural edition in 2022 and a successful second edition in 2024, the World Defense Show has rapidly established itself as a major event in the global defense calendar, as the 2024 edition welcomed 773 exhibitors from 76 countries. (Picture source: WDS 2026)

Following the inaugural edition in 2022 and the second edition in 2024, the show continues to expand in size and reach. The exhibition space for WDS 2026 covers 273,000 square meters, an increase of 58 percent from the first edition. This includes a newly added fourth exhibition hall and dedicated areas for live demonstrations. As of February 2025, 65 percent of the exhibition space had already been allocated, and 50 percent was sold as early as June 2024. In the 2024 edition, WDS hosted 773 exhibitors from 76 countries and welcomed 106,000 visitors. The entire floorspace for that event was sold out six months before opening. At Eurosatory 2024, held in Paris from June 17 to 21, the WDS team engaged with prospective participants to provide details about the 2026 event. The early demand for space, along with WDS’s stated intent to accommodate more exhibitors, suggests continued upward momentum for the show.

The event is expected to bring together over 750 exhibitors from 75 countries. Confirmed new participants include Japan, Portugal, Uzbekistan, and Finland. China is set to have a significant presence, with more than 100 companies attending and 88 percent of its national pavilion space already booked. China accounted for 9 percent of the total attendance at WDS 2024 and is now the second-largest national presence after Saudi Arabia. During Airshow China in Zhuhai in 2024, WDS representatives met with Chinese companies to coordinate participation. At WDS 2024, China’s State Shipbuilding Corporation presented the Thunderer A2000, a new medium unmanned surface vessel. The show also featured a Defense Space Arena, which provided interactive displays and industry contributions from BAE Systems, Boeing, and Lockheed Martin. The second edition placed particular emphasis on multi-domain operations and defense technologies, including counter-drone systems, unmanned vehicles, and naval systems.

The upcoming edition will continue to host the Content Theater from day 2 to day 5 of the event. Planned presentation themes include “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.” These topics will be discussed in parallel with new thematic zones: the Future Defense Lab for emerging companies, the Naval Zone for maritime security, the Unmanned Systems Zone for autonomous platforms, and the Saudi Supply Chain Zone, which is intended to link Saudi small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with international defense supply chains. Attendees will also have access to the “Meet the KSA Government” program, which offers updates on Saudi defense procurement regulations and investment guidelines. The Delegations Program, which in 2024 facilitated meetings between exhibitors and 441 delegations from 112 countries, will return.

WDS continues its partnership with Saudi Arabian Military Industries (SAMI), which has been involved since the first edition in 2022. SAMI, established in 2017 and owned by the Public Investment Fund, supports Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 goal of localizing 50 percent of defense expenditures. The company operates across five divisions: SAMI Aerospace, SAMI Land, SAMI Sea, SAMI Defense Systems, and SAMI Advanced Electronics. In 2024, SAMI presented a 155mm 8x8 self-propelled howitzer based on a Czech TATRA chassis, equipped with a semi-automatic loader, computerized fire control, and compatible with GPS-guided shells, including a locally manufactured version of the American M982 Excalibur. Other systems included the Ubayyah 2 armored vehicle, which measures 6.07 meters in length and is powered by a 6.7-liter V8 diesel engine delivering 330 horsepower. The vehicle has a top road speed of 120 km/h, an off-road speed of 60 km/h, and a ground clearance of 0.36 meters. Its fuel tank holds 258 liters, and it can climb slopes up to 60 degrees. SAMI also displayed the Tatra 158 Phoenix 6x6 truck, which has independent suspension with swinging half axles and PACCAR MX engines meeting Euro III, V, and VI standards. These trucks can be configured in 4x4, 6x6, 8x8, and 10x10 layouts.

General Dynamics Land Systems (GDLS) has been using WDS as a platform to train local talent in Saudi Arabia, including through partnerships with universities and programs such as micro-credentialing in ballistic steel welding. GDLS employs over 200 personnel in the Kingdom, with more than 90 percent being Saudi nationals. During WDS 2024, companies like BAE Systems, MARSS, and others also presented innovations in anti-drone and unmanned systems. The 2024 edition featured several world premieres, interactive displays, and live aerial and ground demonstrations. Memoranda of understanding, including one between HAVELSAN, the Saudi Ministry of Investment, and GAMI, were signed during the event. The show also provided networking and policymaking opportunities in a confidential environment, attracting international delegations and high-ranking officials. In addition to exhibiting products, the event is used by defense companies to establish long-term cooperation and investment relationships in the region.

GAMI, which regulates and licenses Saudi Arabia’s defense industries, is responsible for the creation and continued development of the World Defense Show. Through WDS, GAMI promotes its objectives of localization, manufacturing growth, and increased economic contribution from the defense sector. The organization’s strategy aligns with Saudi Vision 2030, which includes the goal of localizing more than 50 percent of defense procurement. The 2026 show will include both static and live displays, international delegations, and knowledge-sharing sessions. The venue features indoor and outdoor spaces and a dedicated runway. Andrew Pearcey, CEO of WDS, has emphasized that the 2026 edition will be the largest and most comprehensive to date, informed by feedback from earlier editions. Future announcements are expected to include new features and additions to the program. Exhibitors and visitors are encouraged to finalize their participation promptly, as remaining space is limited.