World Defence Exhibition 2026: Empowering talent and localizing the industry

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The Saudi capital, Riyadh, continues to attract global attention through the World Defense Show 2026 , organized by the General Authority for Military Industries. The fourth day of the exhibition saw an exceptional focus on human capital as the primary driver of the sustainability of the defense and security sector, in line with the ambitious goals of the Kingdom's Vision 2030.

Strategic context: Localizing 50% of military spending

This event is more than just a traditional trade show; it represents the culmination of the Kingdom's ongoing efforts since the launch of Vision 2030, which set a strategic goal of localizing more than 50% of government military spending. Since its inception, the General Authority for Military Industries (GAMI) has been working to build a sustainable local military industrial sector, and the World Defense Show is considered the premier international platform that brings together local manufacturers and global companies to exchange expertise and transfer technology.

“Future Talents” Program: Investing in Minds

On the fourth day of events, the "Future Talents" program captivated the audience in the main theater (Hall 2). This program, sponsored by BAE Systems and implemented in collaboration with several government entities, is a cornerstone of the sector's workforce strategy. Its aim is to bridge the gap between academic education and the actual needs of the military job market by connecting students and recent graduates with leading industry experts.

The discussion sessions focused on the future skills necessary to keep pace with the digital transformation in modern warfare, specifically in the areas of:

Cybersecurity and data protection.
Development of unmanned systems (drones).
Artificial intelligence applications in defense.
Space science and emerging technologies.

Officials' statements: People first

Commenting on these efforts, His Excellency the Governor of the General Authority for Military Industries, Engineer Ahmed Abdulaziz Al-Ohali, emphasized that investing in national talent is the Kingdom's strategic choice. He stated, "Through initiatives such as the 'Future Talents' program, we are working to empower the nation's youth with skills, knowledge, and creativity, thereby enhancing the sector's competitiveness and contributing to the realization of the Kingdom's Vision 2030 goals.".

Promising opportunities and strong supply chains

Alongside talent development, the "Government Entities Meeting" program and the "Saudi Supply Chains" stage continued, providing investors and exhibiting companies with a unique opportunity to directly understand the needs of Saudi military and security entities. These meetings contribute to strengthening industrial partnerships and opening new avenues for international cooperation.

For his part, the CEO of the World Defence Exhibition, Andrew Percy, affirmed that dedicating a day to talent reflects the Kingdom’s commitment to building long-term defense capabilities, noting that the next generation will lead global defense transformations.

Final Look

The exhibition continues to welcome visitors until February 12, with a wide participation of 1,468 exhibitors from 89 countries, reinforcing Riyadh's position as a pivotal hub for the global defense industry. By showcasing the latest technologies in the land, sea, air, and space domains, Saudi Arabia affirms its determination to move forward towards achieving self-sufficiency and strengthening its national security through the efforts of its citizens.