Under the patronage of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and on his behalf, His Royal Highness Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Minister of Defense and Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of the General Authority for Military Industries, inaugurated the third edition of the World Defense Show in Riyadh. This event, organized by the General Authority for Military Industries and running until February 12, is one of the leading international platforms that brings together industry leaders and decision-makers from around the world.
A strategic platform that enhances the Kingdom's international standing
The third edition of the exhibition comes at a crucial time, reflecting the growing role of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as a pivotal player in the global defense and security industries. The exhibition is not merely a showcase; it represents a comprehensive environment for innovation and the exchange of expertise, aligning with the objectives of the Kingdom's Vision 2030, spearheaded by His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, which aims to localize more than 50% of the Kingdom's military spending.
The opening ceremony was attended by a high-level delegation, including the Deputy Minister of Defense, Prince Abdulrahman bin Mohammed bin Ayyaf, the Governor of the General Authority for Military Industries, Engineer Ahmed bin Abdulaziz Al-Ouhali, the Chief of the General Staff, Lieutenant General Fayyad Al-Ruwaili, and a number of senior officials.
Launching high-quality projects and global partnerships
During his tour of the exhibition, which saw a record participation of over 1,486 exhibitors from 89 countries, Prince Khalid bin Salman inaugurated a number of strategic projects at the Saudi Arabian Military Industries (SAMI) pavilion. These inaugurations included SAMI Ground Systems and its industrial complex, the HEAT armored vehicle project, and SAMI Unmanned Systems. The “Rukn” program, aimed at enhancing local content and supporting supply chains in the military industries sector, was also launched, reflecting the commitment to building sustainable national industrial capabilities.
On the diplomatic and international level, the exhibition witnessed the signing of a series of important agreements and memoranda of understanding, as the Minister of Defense signed memoranda of cooperation with his counterparts from the Republic of Korea, the Slovak Republic, Malaysia, and the Federal Republic of Somalia, covering the areas of defense research and development and joint military cooperation.
Rapid growth in the localization of military industries
In his speech at the ceremony, Engineer Ahmed Al-Ouhali emphasized that the unlimited support from the wise leadership has resulted in significant leaps forward in the sector. He noted that the localization rate of military spending has increased from only 4% in 2018 to nearly 25% by the end of 2024, with ongoing efforts to reach 50% by 2030. He also explained that the number of licensed establishments in the sector reached approximately 344 by the end of the third quarter of 2025, confirming the attractiveness of the investment environment in the Kingdom.
The Minister of Defense concluded his tour with a visit to the air zone, where he took commemorative photos with the Saudi Falcons team and signed a Hawk T-165 aircraft. He also witnessed the air and static displays showcasing the latest military technologies, thus cementing the exhibition’s status as an indispensable global event for anticipating the future of defense and security.
