High-level diplomatic meetings in the heart of Riyadh
His Royal Highness Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, the Saudi Minister of Defense, expressed his great pleasure at the fruitful meetings he held with a number of defense ministers and senior officials from brotherly and friendly countries on the sidelines of the World Defense Show 2026 in Riyadh. In a statement, His Highness affirmed that these meetings provided a valuable opportunity to exchange views on the future of the defense and security industry and to commend the promising opportunities the exhibition offers for strengthening international cooperation.
The Minister of Defense pointed out that the talks were not limited to reviewing bilateral relations, but extended to include the signing and attendance at the signing ceremony of a number of memoranda of understanding and agreements aimed at strengthening strategic partnerships in the defense and military fields, reflecting the growing international confidence in the Kingdom’s vision and capabilities.
World Defence Exhibition: A strategic platform within Vision 2030
The World Defence Exhibition, organized by the General Authority for Military Industries (GAMI), is one of the world’s leading events in the defense and security sector. This year’s edition underscores the pivotal role of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as a leading global hub in this field. The exhibition is not merely a platform to showcase the latest technologies and innovations in land, sea, air, space, and cybersecurity defense industries; it is a key driver for achieving the goals of Saudi Vision 2030, most notably localizing more than 50% of military spending by 2030.
Strategic importance and multidimensional impacts
The significance of these meetings and agreements lies in their multifaceted impact. Locally, the exhibition contributes to accelerating technology localization, creating quality job opportunities for Saudi youth, and supporting national companies like the Saudi Arabian Military Industries Company (SAMI) to become among the top 25 defense companies globally. Regionally, these events strengthen security and military cooperation with neighboring countries and the wider region, contributing to stability and addressing shared challenges. Internationally, the exhibition solidifies the Kingdom's position as a reliable and influential partner in the global security system, attracting investments and partnerships with leading international defense companies.
His Highness the Minister of Defense’s tour of the exhibition halls, in which more than 1,486 exhibitors from 89 countries are participating, witnessed a review of the latest military technology and a visit to the pavilions of major national and international companies, reflecting the leadership’s keenness to be directly informed of global developments and to support localization and innovation efforts in this vital sector.
