As the 2026 edition of World Defense Show (WDS) approaches, Saudi Arabia is openly positioning Riyadh as a long term meeting point for the global defense industry, not just a rotating trade stop. Held under the patronage of King Salman and founded by the General Authority for Military Industries, the third edition will run from 8 to 12 February 2026 and carry the theme "The Future of Defense Integration", bringing together government delegations, primes, SMEs and technology players to explore how multi domain operations and industrial localization are reshaping the defense landscape. Army Recognition spoke with Andrew Pearcey, CEO of World Defense Show, about how the event is evolving from a fast growing exhibition into a structured platform for technology transfer, supply chain building and talent development that fits directly into Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 targets.

World Defense Show 2026 is taking shape with clear parameters set by the organizers and by Saudi Arabia’s defense regulator. According to communications from World Defense Show and the General Authority for Military Industries, the third edition will be held in Riyadh from 8 to 12 February 2026, under royal patronage, with an expanded program aimed at integrating the air, land, sea, space, and security domains. The 2024 edition brought together 773 exhibitors, 441 official delegations from 116 countries, and 106,000 visitors, a scale that frames expectations for what follows. These figures matter because they show a mobilized market and align with GAMI’s plan to localize defense spending under Vision 2030. The show provides the stage, policy sets the script, and industry carries it forward.