World Defense Show 2026 Riyadh: $8.8 Billion in Deals Secured

The third edition of the World Defense Show (WDS) 2026 concluded on Thursday in the Saudi capital, Riyadh, marking an unprecedented international success. Held under the patronage of King Salman bin Abdulaziz and organized by the General Authority for Military Industries (GAMI), the five-day event yielded strategic partnerships and record-breaking financial outcomes.

Unprecedented Global Participation

During a press briefing at the show's headquarters, H.E. Ahmad Al-Ohali, Governor of GAMI and Chairman of the Supervisory Committee for WDS, unveiled the exhibition's final results. The 2026 edition saw record participation, including:

1,486 exhibitors from 89 countries.

513 official delegations from 121 nations.

137,000 visitors throughout the duration of the event.

SAR 33 billion ($8.8 billion USD) in total military and defense deals across 60 contracts.

Driving Vision 2030 Goals

The exhibition space expanded to 272,500 square meters, a 58% increase from the inaugural version, spanning four fully occupied halls. Al-Ohali emphasized that these results reflect Saudi Arabia’s steady progress toward Vision 2030 goals, specifically in localizing the national military industry and establishing the Kingdom as a global hub for defense technology transfer and investment.

"The outcomes of the World Defense Show 2026 reflect the Kingdom's leadership in the military sector and its ability to build a national industry capable of global competition," Al-Ohali stated.

Innovation and Live Demonstrations

The show was not only a commercial success but a technological one. Andrew Pearcey, CEO of the World Defense Show, noted that the event hosted:

355 live air demonstrations showcasing advanced aerospace capabilities.

70 thought-leadership sessions featuring 151 global speakers.

Integrated defense system displays across air, land, sea, space, and security domains.

By connecting industry leaders, innovators, and official delegations, the World Defense Show has solidified its position as the premier global platform for the future of multi-domain defense integration.