DSEI 2025: Saudi Arabia World Defense Show 2026 Reveals Major Defense Opportunities.
At DSEI 2025, WDS Vice President Mansour Al-Babtain emphasized that the World Defense Show (WDS) is a core driver of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, aiming to localize 50% of military spending, build national expertise, and attract global investment. WDS 2026 will advance this through initiatives like the Saudi Supply Chain Zone, which connects local SMEs and startups with international partners to boost innovation and manufacturing, and the WDS Investor Program, which links global investors with Saudi defense projects. The Future Talent Program will engage thousands of Saudi students through mentorship, challenges, and exposure to industry leaders to build a skilled defense workforce. By fostering joint ventures, technology transfer, and R&D collaborations, WDS 2026 is expected to accelerate defense sector self-sufficiency, create high-tech jobs, and expand export potential—positioning Riyadh as a hub for innovation, economic growth, and global defense cooperation.