World Defense Show Builds Global Momentum Ahead of 2028
World Defense Show (WDS), organized by the General Authority for Military Industries (GAMI), is reinforcing its position as a leading global platform for defense collaboration and strategic engagement through its participation at Eurosatory 2026, taking place in Paris from June 15 to 19, 2026.
This participation comes as part of preparations for the fourth edition of the show, scheduled for January 2028 in Riyadh, as the show aims to engage with leading global companies and showcase updates on the fourth edition, which is witnessing strong global interest after re-bookings reached high levels more than 19 months ahead of the event's launch, reflecting growing confidence in World Defense Show as a strategic global meeting point for the international defense sector.
As part of its engagement at Eurosatory 2026, World Defense Show is announcing a series of strategic partnerships that reflect the growing international momentum behind WDS 2028. This includes the signing of an agreement with Global Affairs Canada (GAC), officially establishing 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 in Riyadh. The show also signed an agreement with Development East Manufacturing Holding Co. (DEMCO), which joins WDS 2028 as a Premium Partner, further underscoring the event's growing appeal among key industry leaders.
Chief Executive Officer of World Defense Show Andrew Pearcey said: “World Defense Show was designed from the outset to serve as more than a traditional exhibition platform. Our objective is to create an environment where governments, industry leaders, innovators and strategic partners can come together to shape the future of defense collaboration and engagement.”
He added: “The establishment of the first-ever Canadian National Pavilion at WDS 2028 reflects the growing international confidence in the platform and its ability to foster meaningful collaboration across the global defense ecosystem. We also welcome DEMCO Holdings as a Premium Partner for WDS 2028 and look forward to working with both organizations as we continue to strengthen WDS’ international footprint.”
The third edition of World Defense Show, held in Riyadh in February 2026, welcomed 1,486 exhibitors representing 89 countries, alongside 513 official delegations from 121 countries, and 137,000 visitors. These record figures further underscore the show’s expanding global reach and its growing strategic importance within the international defense calendar.
The 2026 edition also featured participation from all Top 10 global defense companies and more than 60 of the world’s Top 100 defense firms, alongside 389 live demonstrations conducted across air, land and unmanned domains over the five-day event.
World Defense Show 2026 also saw SAR33 billion in orders and announcements during the event, reflecting the growing commercial significance of the platform and its role in supporting defense engagement, industrial growth and strategic partnership development aligned with Saudi Vision 2030's objective of localizing 50% of defense spending.
With a purpose-built venue near Riyadh featuring a dedicated 2,700-meter runway, large-scale land demonstration areas and integrated operational environments across land, air, sea, space and security domains, WDS has continued to differentiate itself through its emphasis on live capability demonstration and multi-domain operational environments.
Preparations for WDS 2028 will continue throughout 2026 and 2027, with additional announcements regarding the event’s future-focused themes and programming expected from early 2027. The upcoming edition aims to further strengthen WDS’ international footprint while reflecting the innovation trends, market priorities and collaborative direction shaping the global defense sector.
