Saudi Defense Show 2026 Highlights SAMI Expansion And International Cooperation Deals

Under the patronage of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz opened the third World Defense Show in Riyadh on behalf of King Salman. The event, organised by the General Authority for Military Industries, runs until February 12 and brings together international defence companies, government bodies, and local firms.

Following the opening ceremony, Prince Khalid toured the show’s halls and outdoor zones, which host more than 1,480 participating entities from 89 countries. Numerous Saudi government agencies and major global and national defence companies are taking part, highlighting the scale of international interest in the World Defense Show and the Saudi defence market.

General Authority for Military Industries Governor and World Defense Show Supervisory Committee Chairman Ahmad Al-Ohali highlighted strong leadership support for domestic defence industry growth. Al-Ohali said this backing aligns with Saudi Vision 2030, which seeks to localise over 50% of Saudi Arabia’s military spending and expand national industrial capabilities in key sectors.

Al-Ohali stated that localisation in the military industries sector rose from 4% in 2018 to nearly 25% by the end of 2024. According to Al-Ohali, this performance places the sector on course to exceed the 50% localisation target by 2030, reflecting progress in manufacturing, services, and defence technology transfers to the Kingdom.

Al-Ohali also reported a steady rise in licensed activity within the defence sector. By the end of the third quarter of 2025, the number of licensed and authorised facilities is expected to reach about 344, with 603 licences and permits issued. These cover military manufacturing, product supply, and service provision, supporting broader industrial diversification goals linked to Saudi Vision 2030.

During the World Defense Show, Prince Khalid and the Korean minister of defense observed the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the Saudi General Authority for Defense Development and the Korean Agency for Defense Development. The MoU focuses on joint defence research, development, and innovation in advanced military technologies and systems across multiple domains.

The minister of defense also formalised several other international agreements on the sidelines of the show. Prince Khalid signed a defence cooperation memorandum of understanding with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense of the Slovak Republic Robert Kaliňák. Prince Khalid additionally concluded a defence cooperation agreement with Malaysian Minister of Defense Mohamed Khaled Nordin and an MoU on military cooperation with Federal Republic of Somalia Minister of Defense Ahmed Moallim Fiqi.

Industrial announcements also featured prominently at the exhibition. At the Saudi Arabian Military Industries Group pavilion, Prince Khalid launched SAMI Land Company, SAMI Autonomous Company, and the SAMI Land Industrial Complex, in addition to the HEET Program. Prince Khalid further unveiled the SAMI Local Content Program (RUKN), described as the group’s main supply chain programme supporting local industry participation.

Looking ahead, Al-Ohali affirmed that the General Authority for Military Industries aims to raise the sector’s contribution to gross domestic product to around SAR94 billion by 2030. Al-Ohali added that projected sector growth is expected to generate about 40,000 direct jobs and 60,000 indirect jobs by 2030, strengthening Saudi Arabia’s defence ecosystem and industrial base.

With inputs from SPA