WDS 2026 highlights Saudi drive towards becoming major player in aerospace

The global aerospace defense industry converged on Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, during the week of February 8-12, 2026, for the 3rd Edition of the World Defense Show (WDS). 

This event, which is held at the Riyadh Exhibition & Convention Center, north of the Saudi capital, consolidated its role as a leading international platform in the defense industry. 

The 2026 edition, of which AeroTime was a media partner, proved to be the largest yet, with 1,400 companies from 89 different countries occupying 27,500 square meters of exhibition space across four fully booked halls (compared to just three in 2024). This represents a 58% increase over the first edition, which took place in 2022.  

The strategic goal that the Saudi authorities have set for themselves, namely of turning the kingdom into a major aerospace industrial hub. was very present throughout the show. Several major industry players used the opportunity to underline their activities in the country. 

In a press briefing held on February 12, 2026, Ahmed Al-Ohali, Governor of the General Authority for Military Industries of Saudi Arabia (GAMI), highlighted the progress the kingdom has made in this field, with the percentage of localized work growing from 4% in 2018 to nearly 25% in 2024.  

Miquel Ros / AeroTimeThe goal is to reach 50% by 2030, reflecting a structural transformation of the Saudi defense industry that has seen its combined headcount increase from 24,000 to 44,000 people, with more than half (63%) being local personnel.  

But WDS is also a place to do business. In this regard, Mr. Al-Ohali pointed to the fact that 73 Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) were signed during the show, in addition to 220 agreements of other kinds between the attending companies.  

The show also provided a venue for major OEMs to showcase their flagship products. The static display included 63 aircraft of various types, from helicopters to fighter jets and transport aircraft.  

Airbus brought two A400M transport aircraft (one operated by the UK’s Royal Air Force, the other by the German Luftwaffe), while Boeing used the opportunity to pitch the F-15EX, the latest iteration of this formidably capable platform that the Saudi Royal Air Force knows well, since it has been flying some of its forebears for many years. Saudi and American F-15s were displayed on the tarmac. Indoors, attendees had the chance to experience an F-15EX simulator.  

The Eurofighter consortium was also present, and Lockheed didn’t miss the opportunity to showcase the F-35 during the flying display. The US fighter jet, the potential purchase of which by Saudi Arabia was recently greenlit by the Trump administration, featured in the flight display program alongside two renowned aerobatic teams: the local Saudi Falcons, operating BAE systems Hawk advanced trainer aircraft, and the Black Eagles from South Korea, flying Korean-made T-50s.  

Indoors, drones and UAV platforms reigned supreme, with developers from South Africa to Ukraine exhibiting numerous pilotless platforms for multiple missions, from ISR to attack. The prominent role that drones have played during the Ukraine war has clearly not gone unnoticed.  

Miquel Ros / AeroTimeDuring the press briefing that closed the show, the organizers announced their intention to continue growing the show for the next edition, which is due to take place in 2028. The post WDS 2026 highlights Saudi drive towards becoming major player in aerospace appeared first on AeroTime.

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