World Defense Show 2026 seeks to reshape how defense industry connects and collaborates.

World Defense Show 2026 will return to Riyadh from 8 to 12 February, showcasing the theme "The Future of Defense Integration" across air, land, sea, space, and security. The third edition is designed to anchor Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 ambitions, tying advanced technology displays to defense localization, supply-chain development, and long-term industrial partnerships.

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.
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World Defense Show 2026 will redefine how the global defense industry connects, collaborates, and integrates across every domain. (Picture source: WDS)

Q- What will make WDS 2026 a must-attend event worldwide, and what headline moments should visitors expect?

Andrew Pearcey: World Defense Show 2026 will redefine how the global defense industry connects, collaborates, and integrates across every domain. The theme of integration is woven through every facet of the show, delivering headline moments that reflect the global industry's rapid evolution. Visitors can expect to be immersed in the very latest innovations across all defense domains, showcased by both local innovators leading the race in Saudi Arabia’s industry transformation and global giants.

World Defense Show continues our legacy as an event where partnerships are forged and deals are made. In 2026, we are bringing back popular features such as WDS Connect, the esteemed Delegations Program, and Meet the KSA Government Program, alongside new initiatives like the Investor Program to promote forward-thinking investments. Moreover, our commitment to cultivating knowledge exchange and opening the stage for pressing industry dialogue will shine through our expanded content theaters.

The sheer scale of WDS 2026 is a headline moment in itself – we expect to see more than 1000 exhibitors from over 80 countries, plus expanded venue space, the introduction of six new features alongside enhanced returning ones, sets us up to carry out our largest and most impactful edition to date. Since inception, we’ve experienced tremendous growth and cemented the WDS name as an unmissable global defense exhibition, and the third edition promises to carry the industry into its next era.

Q- How will WDS 2026 demonstrate the ways that air, land, sea, space, and security forces can work together better to protect people?

Andrew Pearcey: WDS 2026 is held under the theme, The Future of Defense Integration, exemplifying that seamless integration across defense domains is the way of the future and a fundamental pathway to ensuring global security. Our new features are designed to showcase integration in tangible and compelling ways, proving that integration between air, land, sea, space, and security is no longer theoretical; it’s operational.

For instance, the new Unmanned Systems Zone will demonstrate and display how aerial drones, unmanned ground vehicles, and autonomous naval systems are designed to operate collaboratively. Visitors will witness scenarios illustrating how these diverse platforms can share real-time intelligence, conduct coordinated missions, and support logistics across different environments.

The Future Defense Lab is another critical feature where visitors can see cutting-edge technologies with the power to bind domains together. Here, we'll showcase how advancements in Artificial Intelligence, robotics, and quantum computing facilitate unprecedented fusion across air, land, sea, space, and security. Beyond seeing groundbreaking technologies firsthand, visitors will be able to attend Content Theater sessions exploring AI’s role in the industry, the application of robotics, and quantum computing’s potential, highlighting how these innovations enable a unified operational picture vital for security.

The new Naval Zone will also serve to emphasize how modern maritime capabilities are inherently integrated and exemplify how vital this domain is when it comes to protecting sea and land borders. Overall, a multi-domain defense industry, working in concert, powerfully safeguards global interests. WDS 2026 will clearly illustrate that a seamlessly integrated ecosystem leads to more effective security.

Q- How will WDS 2026 advance Vision 2030 with more local production, skilled jobs, and training for Saudi talent?

Andrew Pearcey: We are actively leveraging World Defense Show 2026 to powerfully spotlight Saudi capabilities and cultivate Saudi talent. Our new Saudi Supply Chain Zone is thoughtfully designed to bridge the gap between rapidly rising local capabilities driven by the ingenuity of Saudi talent and major global stakeholders. This feature provides an essential platform for Saudi SMEs, startups, and entrepreneurs to proudly showcase their innovations, connect directly with international firms, and secure the partnerships vital for technology transfer and integration into the broader defense supply chain. We see this as a gateway to directly boost local production and create significant opportunities for businesses across the Kingdom to thrive and contribute to Saudi Arabia’s national defense ecosystem.

Within the Saudi Supply Chain Zone, we’ll host a dedicated content theater delivering insightful sessions on critical topics such as market entry strategies and best practices for fostering local industrial growth, providing clear roadmaps for success and collaboration.

The Future Talent Program returns, enhanced through a collaboration with the Ministry of Education to deliver a Defensethon innovation challenge that offers Saudi students and young professionals a more active, hands-on role in the show. By connecting bright young minds with industry leaders and direct exposure to pulsating technologies, we’re cultivating a pipeline of skilled professionals in critical areas such as engineering, cybersecurity, advanced manufacturing, and R&D – polishing them to be the drivers of Saudi Arabia’s evolving defense landscape.

Our goal is to ensure we're opening the floor to position Saudi intellect to lead the next chapter of the Kingdom’s defense development, ensuring a sustainable, skilled workforce for the Kingdom’s future and cementing its place on the global stage.

Q- What will audiences see live at WDS 2026, from flight displays to drones and robotics, and what will those demos prove about real-world usefulness?

Andrew Pearcey: Our live Air and Static Displays are an undeniable crowd-pleaser, adding a unique and thrilling element to the show. At WDS 2026, audiences can anticipate a dynamic and immersive experience, where cutting-edge defense technology is brought to life through compelling live demonstrations. In 2024, we proudly showcased 52 flights with 38 aircraft, alongside 11 live land displays and 178 static exhibits, including breathtaking performances by the Royal Saudi Air Force's official aerobatic team, the Saudi Hawks, and the Chinese Bayi Aerobatics Team.

For 2026, we’ll host an even more expansive and impactful program running across all five days of the show, giving exhibitors the unparalleled chance to demonstrate their capabilities directly to our global audience. We will feature the latest developments in multi-domain operations, battlefield connectivity, and advanced military aircraft. Similarly, off-road test drives will bring the innovation of land systems to life, allowing attendees to witness the power and precision of defense technology in action. Ultimately, our live demonstrations will powerfully prove the real-world usefulness of integrated technologies.

Q- Which partnerships do you plan to announce at WDS 2026, and how will they benefit citizens and businesses in Saudi Arabia and abroad?

Andrew Pearcey: While specific partnership announcements will be made during the show, WDS 2026 is structured to be the ultimate catalyst for partnership development and signings. Previous editions have proven that the deals made at WDS turn into tangible economic growth, strategic alliances, and significant advancements for the defense sector. Saudi Arabia is on an ambitious mission to localize 50% of defense expenditures by 2030, and the Kingdom has made substantial progress thus far. GAMI recently announced that the Kingdom reached 25% localization in 2024 and is well on track to achieve the ambitious 50% target by 2030. One of World Defense Show's core objectives is supporting this Vision 2030 goal, and we are incredibly pleased to see the significant progress already made. The 2026 edition will continue to play a championing role in achieving a sustainable local industry by attracting crucial international investment, fostering new business opportunities, and driving direct engagement.

Positioning Saudi Arabia as a leading player in defense manufacturing, of course, has a profound rippling global impact. We anticipate a wide array of concrete partnerships to be forged and announced at WDS 2026, encompassing joint ventures, technology transfer agreements, and collaborative R&D initiatives. The show is deliberately constructed to facilitate high-level interactions and finalize strategic collaborations.