RIYADH — Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman on Sunday opened the 3rd World Defense Show 2026 in Muram, north of Riyadh, with wide participation from major domestic and international defense and security companies.
The opening ceremony was attended by official delegations specializing in defense and security, government agencies, and major international companies. The five-day exhibition will be held under the patronage of King Salman, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques.
On the first day of the exhibition, a series of agreements and memorandums of understanding were announced, reflecting the momentum of industrial and technological cooperation between Saudi and international companies. The General Directorate of Military Industries (GAMI) has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Saudi Arabian Military Industries Company (SAMI) in the field of localization. This is a move aimed at strengthening local content and improving the efficiency of the national supply chain.
GAMI also signed a memorandum of understanding with General Electric and a memorandum of understanding with Airbus Defense and Space as part of expanding international partnerships and transferring knowledge and advanced technology to Saudi Arabia.
In the military aviation sector, GE Aerospace and Middle East Propulsion Company announced the signing of three new agreements aimed at increasing the operational readiness of the Saudi Air Force’s F110-129 engine fleet, as well as supporting other customers of the model in the region.
At the opening ceremony, Saudi Air Force aircraft performed a series of aerobatic maneuvers and formations, showcasing the aircraft’s superiority and captivating the audience with spectacular spectacles.
The exhibition, organized by GAMI, aims to strengthen efforts to localize more than 50 percent of military spending, in line with Saudi Vision 2030 goals. It also aims to strengthen operational readiness and strengthen Saudi strategic independence in the defense sector.
Colonel Khalid Al Aifan, spokesperson for the Ministry of Defense at the World Defense Show, said the ministry’s participation in the exhibition is in line with the vision’s goals to localize the military industry and increase domestic spending on services and equipment to 50 percent by 2030.
GAMI Governor Ahmad Al Ohri said the third edition reflects the Kingdom’s commitment to developing an integrated defense ecosystem through innovation, localization, and a platform that connects government agencies and international partners. He noted that the show will feature a comprehensive program that includes live demonstrations in the air and on the ground, static exhibits, new development zones, and will strengthen opportunities for partnership and integration between Saudi government agencies and major domestic and global defense companies.
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WDS CEO Andrew Piercy highlighted that the exhibition features a well-equipped airport with a 2,700 meter runway, four taxiways and a vast exhibition area to showcase the latest aircraft, underscoring the exhibition’s status as a major global defense event capable of hosting a world-class integrated exhibition.
