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Nestled in the core of the al-Nafud desert, Riyadh stands as the capital and largest city of Saudi Arabia. Renowned as the cultural hub of the nation, it proudly exhibits the beauty, culture, and heritage of the country. Drawing over 5 million visitors annually, Riyadh offers a glimpse of the finest the Middle East has to offer.
It’s no secret that Riyadh is a smart city and is thus very technologically advanced. For anyone interested in cutting-edge defense technologies and who wants to explore the future of defense, the World Defense Show is a bucket-list event!
Wego has summarized everything you need to know about the World Defense Show 2026. Keep reading to learn more!
Table of Contents
What is the World Defense Show?
The World Defense Show is a biennial defense and security exhibition held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Founded by the General Authority for Military Industries (GAMI), this event serves as a platform to showcase technological developments in the defense sector worldwide. The first edition of the World Defense Show, which emphasized the importance of interoperability in defense, took place in 2022. It has been held every two years since then.
World Defense Show attracts key defense figures, government officials, decision-makers, and thought leaders across all levels of the supply chain. Saudi Arabia’s geographic location and international presence make the Kingdom an ideal location for such a show. The event aligns with Saudi Vision 2030’s goal to localize 50% of military services and equipment expenditures.
The 2nd edition of the World Defense Show in 2024, the Governor of the General Authority for Military Industries (GAMI), Ahmed Al-Ohali, invited attendees to Riyadh for the WDS in 2026, which will continue its mission to promote cooperation, innovation, and business development in the defense and security industries.
World Defense Show 2026 location
The World Dense Show takes place in Riyadh—70 kilometers away from Central Riyadh and can be reached within 45 minutes by car using the main highway.
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World Defense Show 2026 dates
The third edition of the World Defense Show took place from 8 February to 12 February 2026.
World Defense Show exhibitor’s list
The 2026 World Defense Show exhibitor list has not been revealed yet. We will update you as soon as the officials release it.
The previous World Defense Shows took place, with 61 contracts signed worth 26 SAR billion, 773 exhibitors showcased, 441 official delegations from 116 countries welcomed, and 106,000 visitors attracted. The list of exhibitors includes AVC Defence, Arabian Defence, Hycomms, Advantage Austria, and more. To check out the complete list of exhibitors, please visit the official website of the World Defense Show.
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