World Defense Show 2026: Large vehicles and counter-drone systems take the limelight
Turkey’s BMC was one of the country’s four large vehicle companies at WDS, showing its Altug 8x8. (Photo: author)
Visitors who attended the first World Defense Show four years ago continue to speak of the difficulties they faced with poor facilities and power problems. This year’s event emphasised its status as one of the major defence expositions and as a place where regional players and those less welcome at other shows could take centre stage.
World Defense Show (WDS) 2026 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia was the third iteration of the event which has increased in size by almost 60% since it first launched in 2022.
The show’s organisers, Saudi Arabia’s General Authority for Military Industries (GAMI), reported that 1,486 exhibitors from 89 countries attended, alongside 513 official delegations from 121 countries with a total of 137,000 visitors. GAMI also reported that 60 deals totalling SAR33 billion (US$8.8 billion) were signed during the show.
A notable absence from the show was Edge Group, which left a large hole in one of the halls as almost all UAE exhibitors pulled out
Our news & analysis is now part of Defence Insight®
A Basic-level or higher Defence Insight subscription is now required to view this content.
More from Land Warfare
-
![With changing patterns in Middle Eastern procurement, is Europe missing out?]()
With changing patterns in Middle Eastern procurement, is Europe missing out?
Traditional suppliers are struggling to meet the Middle East’s armoured vehicle modernisation needs, creating opportunities for South Korean manufacturers and regional defence industries.
-
![AUSA 2026: CUAS market expands as suppliers target new threats and operational requirements]()
AUSA 2026: CUAS market expands as suppliers target new threats and operational requirements
New developments from MARSS, MyDefence, Mountain Horse Solutions and Rafael suggest that future counter-drone protection will increasingly depend on combining advanced detection, rapid interception and integrated defensive networks.
-
![US Army seeks CAML-Lite autonomous launcher prototypes for 2027 live-fire trials]()
US Army seeks CAML-Lite autonomous launcher prototypes for 2027 live-fire trials
The optionally crewed, C-130-transportable platforms would combine modular offensive and defensive fires with autonomous resupply, with demonstrations planned for Talisman Sabre 2027.
