The Minister of Defense inaugurates the World Defense Show in Riyadh on behalf of the King
On behalf of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, may God protect him, 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 prominent global event, organized by the General Authority for Military Industries, will continue until February 12, amidst high-level international and local participation that reflects the Kingdom's growing stature in the defense industries sector.
A global platform for innovation and defense
The World Defence Exhibition is one of the most important international platforms that brings together leaders in the defense and security industry from around the world. It aims to showcase the latest military technologies and facilitate the exchange of knowledge and expertise. This edition is particularly significant given the rapid developments in the sector, as the exhibition provides an ideal environment for networking between manufacturers, innovators, and investors, thereby enhancing opportunities for strategic partnerships and technology transfer.
Upon his arrival at the exhibition venue, His Highness the Minister of Defense was received by His Highness Prince Abdulrahman bin Mohammed bin Ayyaf, Deputy Minister of Defense, the Governor of the General Authority for Military Industries, Engineer Ahmed bin Abdulaziz Al-Ohali, the Chief of the General Staff, Lieutenant General Fayyad bin Hamed Al-Ruwaili, and a number of senior officials.
Supporting the leadership and Vision 2030
In his speech during the opening ceremony, Engineer Ahmed Al-Ouhali expressed his gratitude to the wise leadership for the generous patronage and unlimited support for the military industries sector, stressing that the exhibition has become a strategic platform that aligns with the objectives of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030. Through these events, the Kingdom seeks to localize more than 50% of military spending by 2030, an ambitious goal whose features have begun to take clear shape with the rise in localization rates and the noticeable increase in the number of licensed establishments.
Al-Awahli pointed out that the number of authorized establishments reached about 344 establishments by the end of the third quarter of 2025, which reflects the attractiveness of the sector to local and international investors, expecting that the sector’s contribution to the gross domestic product will reach about 94 billion riyals by 2030, while providing tens of thousands of direct and indirect job opportunities for national cadres.
International partnerships and the launch of advanced technologies
During His Royal Highness the Minister of Defense's tour of the exhibition, he inaugurated several advanced systems at the Saudi Arabian Military Industries (SAMI) pavilion, including ground systems, armored vehicles, and unmanned systems projects, highlighting the technological advancements achieved by the national industry. The opening program also featured dazzling air displays by the Saudi Falcons aerobatic team and static displays of military equipment.
On the international cooperation front, the exhibition witnessed the signing of a package of qualitative agreements and memoranda of understanding, as His Highness the Minister of Defense signed memoranda of understanding with the Republic of Korea in the field of defense research and development, the Slovak Republic, Malaysia, and the Federal Republic of Somalia, with the aim of strengthening joint military and defense cooperation, which confirms the Kingdom’s pivotal role in promoting international security and peace and building bridges of cooperation with sisterly and friendly countries.
