Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman inaugurated the third edition of the World Defense Show 2026 on Sunday in Mulham, north of Riyadh, with broad participation from leading regional and international defense and security companies.
Held under the patronage of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman, the five-day exhibition opened with the attendance of official delegations, government entities, and global industry leaders. The first day saw the signing of several agreements and memoranda of understanding, reflecting growing industrial and technological cooperation between Saudi and international partners.
The General Authority for Military Industries (GAMI) signed agreements with Saudi Arabian Military Industries (SAMI), General Electric, and Airbus Defence and Space, focusing on localization, knowledge transfer, and advanced technology. In the aviation sector, GE Aerospace and Middle East Propulsion Company announced three new agreements to enhance the operational readiness of the Royal Saudi Air Force’s F110-129 engine fleet.
The opening ceremony also featured aerial displays by Royal Saudi Air Force aircraft. Organized by GAMI, the exhibition supports Saudi Vision 2030 by aiming to localize over 50 percent of military spending and strengthen the Kingdom’s defense capabilities.
