The World Defense Show (WDS) is gearing up to host a prominent array of French defense companies in its second edition, scheduled for 4-8 February 2024 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. This development signifies a notable surge in global reservations, a fact underlined during the current Paris Air Show.
The WDS Team, who are participating at the Paris Air Show from 19-25 June, revealed that booked space for the French pavilion at WDS 2024 has increased by 35% compared to the inaugural event in 2022 and features the major players in the flourishing French defense industry including Airbus, MBDA, Naval Group, Nexter, Safran and Thales.
According to WDS Chief Executive Officer Andrew Pearcey, the show’s reach is truly global and has seen substantial increases in the size of country pavilions. “We have seen burgeoning international interest, with increased pavilions from Canada, France, Italy, Nigeria, Portugal, South Korea, Spain, Sudan, and the UAE. The Greek, Chinese, and Indian pavilions have all doubled in size, while the Czech Republic is 145% bigger.”
Bookings have also been boosted by countries who are exhibiting at the World Defense Show for the first time, including Bahrain, Denmark, Kuwait, Oman and Turkey.
“The global defense landscape is evolving and the growth in the World Defense Show underscores the international focus on the Saudi Arabian market,” he noted.
With the addition of a new third hall, the exhibition space has expanded to 47,000 sqm to meet growing demand. “Despite this increase, and with more than seven months remaining, we are nearing capacity with 92% of available floor space already sold,” Pearcy added.
The exhibition boasts a range of key features, including static land and air displays and an engaging daily program. A standout addition this year is the Space Arena. “The Space Arena, introduced for WDS 2024, forms an integral part of our Journey to the Future showcase. Space is a domain that is critical to national defense strategies,” Pearcey elaborated
WDS 2024 will showcase the most innovative capabilities and technologies from around the world, and will highlight the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s strategic ambitions in space, recent achievements and identify future space opportunities for both the Kingdom and its international partners.
In conjunction with the Space Arena, the event will feature interactive exhibit areas and a dedicated Space Amphitheater hosting industry experts and panel discussions.
Founded by Saudi Arabia’s defense industry regulator, the General Authority for Military Industries (GAMI), WDS serves as the global stage for innovation and technological advancement in the defense industry across five key domains: air, land, sea, space and security.
The second edition will take place between 4-8 February 2024 in Saudi Arabia’s capital, Riyadh. The event, covering every sector and tier of the defense industry, will deliver networking programs with high-profile attendees, live air and ground displays of advanced defense solutions, and knowledge-sharing segments that will generate opportunities for local and global military industries sectors at the centre of the global supply chain.
World Defense Show will be held in the presence of Saudi Arabia’s key leadership, international delegations and prominent industry decision makers from around the world.
The founder of World Defense Show, Saudi Arabia’s General Authority for Military Industries, is the regulator, enabler and licensor for the Kingdom’s military industry. GAMI is responsible for domestic defense sector development in line with KSA’s commitment to Vision 2030 and to localize 50 percent of domestic defense equipment and services expenditure by 2030.
