World Defense Show 2026 Approaches Full Capacity With Global Participation

The World Defense Show (WDS) has revealed that 90% of its exhibition space for the 2026 event is already reserved. Organised by the General Authority for Military Industries (GAMI), this significant event is scheduled to occur in Riyadh from February 8 to 12, 2026. The announcement was made during WDS's participation in the Saudi pavilion at the International Defense Industry Fair (IDEF 2025) in Istanbul, Türkiye.

Andrew Pearcey, CEO of WDS, mentioned that the Turkish pavilion will be a major highlight at the 2026 show. It will feature prominent Turkish companies and span an area of 4,400 square meters, making it the third-largest international pavilion. Pearcey emphasised that this strong presence could expand further, underscoring WDS's growing reputation as a premier global defense exhibition platform.

The upcoming edition will welcome exhibitors from a record-breaking 80 countries. New participants include Japan, Portugal, Uzbekistan, and Finland. This diverse representation strengthens WDS's status as a truly international platform for collaboration and innovation in defense technologies.

The theme for the third edition is "The Future of Defense Integration." The event will continue to serve as a crucial international platform, showcasing cutting-edge innovations across five defense domains: air, land, sea, space, and security. Through its presence at IDEF 2025, WDS aims to engage with industry leaders and share updates about its forthcoming edition.

From February 9 to 12, discussions will focus on critical topics shaping the future of defense. These include transforming operational needs into technological superiority and accelerating pioneering defense technologies. Other key themes are integrating emerging technologies and supporting national production alongside defense exports.

The second edition of WDS was notably successful. It featured 773 exhibitors from 76 countries and welcomed 441 official delegations from 116 countries. The event attracted over 106,000 specialised visitors and facilitated deals exceeding SAR26 billion.

With its comprehensive approach to showcasing innovations across multiple domains, WDS continues to play a pivotal role in advancing global defense integration efforts. The show remains committed to fostering international cooperation and highlighting technological advancements within the industry.

With inputs from SPA