World Defense Show Strengthens Global Partnerships and Builds Momentum Ahead of 2028 Edition

Government

World Defense Show Strengthens Global Partnerships and Builds Momentum Ahead of 2028 Edition

World Defense Show (WDS), founded by Saudi Arabia’s General Authority for Military Industries (GAMI), is accelerating international engagement and expanding strategic partnerships as preparations advance for its fourth edition scheduled to take place in Riyadh in January 2028.

The announcement was made during WDS’s participation at Eurosatory 2026, one of the world’s leading defense exhibitions, being held in Paris from June 15–19, 2026.

Building on the momentum generated by its record-setting 2026 edition, World Defense Show continues to strengthen its position as a global platform for defense collaboration, industrial partnerships, and strategic engagement across the international defense ecosystem.

As part of its presence at Eurosatory 2026, WDS announced a series of new strategic agreements designed to reinforce international participation in the upcoming event.

Among the key developments is an agreement with Global Affairs Canada (GAC) to establish the first-ever Canadian National Pavilion at World Defense Show, creating a dedicated platform for Canadian defense and security companies to engage with global stakeholders during the 2028 edition in Riyadh.

The exhibition also confirmed a partnership agreement with Development East Manufacturing Holding Co. (DEMCO), which will participate as a Premium Partner for WDS 2028, reflecting growing industry interest and continued commercial confidence in the event.

With less than 19 months remaining before the next edition, organisers reported strong re-booking levels, highlighting sustained demand and reinforcing WDS’s role as a strategic meeting point for governments, defense manufacturers, investors, and technology leaders.

Commenting on the event’s development, Andrew Pearcey, Chief Executive Officer of World Defense Show, said the exhibition was created to extend beyond the traditional trade-show format and serve as a platform where governments, industry leaders, innovators, and strategic partners collaborate to shape the future of defense engagement.

He noted that the introduction of Canada’s national pavilion and the addition of DEMCO as a Premium Partner demonstrate increasing international confidence in the platform and its ability to support meaningful global collaboration.

The third edition of World Defense Show, held in Riyadh in February 2026, recorded significant growth across participation and commercial activity.

According to organisers, the event hosted 1,486 exhibitors from 89 countries, welcomed 513 official delegations representing 121 countries, and attracted approximately 137,000 visitors, reinforcing its expanding global reach.

The exhibition also featured participation from all of the world’s top 10 defense companies and more than 60 of the top 100 global defense firms, alongside 389 live demonstrations conducted across air, land, and unmanned operational domains during the five-day event.

Commercial activity remained a major highlight, with $8.8 billion (SAR 33 billion) in announced orders and agreements, underlining the growing economic and strategic significance of the platform.

As Saudi Arabia advances its Vision 2030 objective of localizing 50 percent of defense spending, World Defense Show continues to evolve into a key platform supporting industrial growth, capability development, strategic partnerships, and long-term investment across the Kingdom’s defense ecosystem.

Hosted at a purpose-built venue near Riyadh, the exhibition features a 2,700-meter dedicated runway, extensive live demonstration zones, and integrated operational environments spanning land, air, sea, space, and security sectors, helping differentiate WDS through real-world capability showcases.

Preparations for WDS 2028 will continue through 2026 and 2027, with organisers expected to announce additional details on themes, programming, and future-focused initiatives beginning in early 2027, as the event aims to further strengthen its international footprint and reflect evolving priorities across the global defense industry.