The World Defense Show 2026 opens on February 8 in Riyadh, marking Saudi Arabia's strategic evolution from a defense hardware consumer to an industrial partner under Vision 2030, Defense Update Reports. With defense localization rising from 4% (2018) to 25% (2024), against a 50% target by 2030, the exhibition has expanded by 58%, hosting 925 exhibitors from 80 countries across 273,000 square meters. The event introduces dedicated zones for Naval, Unmanned Systems, Space Domain, and Future Defense Labs, reflecting regional security priorities and emerging technologies. Live demonstrations across a 2,700-meter runway and land track will showcase multi-domain integration, while new systems from SAMI, Rostec, BAE Systems, and others highlight AI-driven autonomy and localized production. Supported by a $78 billion military budget, WDS 2026 positions Riyadh as a central node in global defense supply chains, with international primes transitioning from suppliers to production partners through initiatives like the Saudi Supply Chain Zone.

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