World Defense Show 2026: $8 Billion in Contracts Signed in Riyadh

The World Defense Show 2026 has concluded in Riyadh with a staggering $8 billion in defense contracts signed over four days. The biennial event, now in its second edition, drew 1,486 exhibitors from 89 countries and attracted over 137,000 visitors — a 45% increase from 2024. Saudi Arabia's ambitious defense industrialization program, combined with soaring global military spending, has transformed this relatively new expo into the must-attend event on the global defense calendar.

Saudi Arabia's Defense Pivot

The scale of the World Defense Show reflects Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 goal of localizing 50% of military equipment spending by the end of the decade. The Kingdom's General Authority for Military Industries (GAMI) used the event to announce three major domestic manufacturing partnerships: a $1.2 billion joint venture with South Korea's Hanwha for armored vehicle production, a $800 million helicopter maintenance facility with Leonardo of Italy, and a $650 million ammunition plant in partnership with Rheinmetall of Germany.

These deals represent a fundamental shift from Saudi Arabia's historical role as a buyer of finished weapons systems to an emerging defense manufacturer. GAMI chairman Ahmad Al Ohali told the opening ceremony that Saudi defense sector employment has grown from 12,000 to 43,000 workers since 2020, with a target of 100,000 by 2030.

AI and Autonomous Systems Dominate

The technology showcase at WDS 2026 was dominated by artificial intelligence, autonomous systems, and electronic warfare capabilities. Turkey's Baykar displayed its Kizilelma unmanned fighter jet, now in serial production and reportedly operating in contested airspace in multiple theaters. Israeli defense firms, participating through third-country subsidiaries, demonstrated AI-powered missile defense coordination systems that can integrate with Gulf Cooperation Council defense architectures.

The US pavilion, the largest at the show, featured Lockheed Martin's AI-enabled F-35 mission planning system, Raytheon's next-generation Patriot radar with machine learning threat classification, and General Dynamics' autonomous logistics vehicles designed for desert operations. European firms — BAE Systems, MBDA, Thales — all emphasized AI-enhanced electronic warfare suites.

"Every major system on display here has an AI component. Five years ago, autonomy was a PowerPoint slide. Today it's fielded technology. The defense industry has crossed the AI adoption threshold." — Defense analyst, Jane's Information Group

Geopolitical Undercurrents

The expo served as a barometer of shifting geopolitical alignments. China's NORINCO and AVIC had their largest-ever Middle East presence, aggressively marketing the Wing Loong III drone and the JF-17 Block 3 fighter to countries that have historically been US-only defense customers. Russia's presence was conspicuously diminished — only three exhibitors compared to 28 in 2022 — as sanctions and combat losses in Ukraine continue to constrain Russian defense exports.

India's defense pavilion was a breakout presence, with Hindustan Aeronautics showcasing the Tejas Mk2 fighter and Bharat Electronics displaying advanced radar systems. The Indian delegation signed a $400 million memorandum of understanding for the supply of BrahMos cruise missiles to an unnamed Middle Eastern buyer, widely believed to be Saudi Arabia.

Small Business Opportunities

Beyond the headline-grabbing fighter jets and missile systems, WDS 2026 highlighted a growing ecosystem of defense technology startups and SMEs. A dedicated innovation pavilion hosted 120 companies from 34 countries, many focused on cybersecurity, satellite communications, medical field equipment, and supply chain logistics. Saudi Arabia's defense procurement reforms now require prime contractors to allocate 35% of contract value to local SME subcontractors, creating a lucrative pipeline for smaller firms.

What's Next

With global military spending at record levels and no sign of geopolitical tensions easing, the defense industry pipeline is robust through the end of the decade. Saudi Arabia's positioning as both a major buyer and emerging manufacturer gives the World Defense Show an outsized influence in shaping procurement decisions. The next edition in 2028 is expected to exceed $10 billion in on-site contracts, as the Kingdom's defense industrial base matures and the global arms trade continues to diversify away from Cold War-era supplier-buyer dynamics.