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2021-11-03

World Defense Show 2022 will Address Defence Industry’s Pressing Challenges

With exhibition space close to sold out and less than six months to go, the stage is well set for the inaugural World Defense Show (WDS), the first-ever event of its kind to be hosted in Saudi Arabia. The fully integrated defense event demonstrating military interoperability across air, land, sea, security and space is expected to welcome more than 30,000 visitors and 800 exhibitors in March 2022.

Global Participation

Saudi Arabia’s industry champions and government bodies including WDS Strategic Partner, Saudi Arabian Military Industries will be joined by over 100 local industry players as well as major global players, like Lockheed Martin, Embraer, General Dynamics and Rolls-Royce.

Significant interest has also been recorded from the Far East, which considers Saudi Arabia – located at the crossroads of three continents – to be a critical market given its welcoming investment environment, ease of doing business and government support to foreign investments. Confirmed participants from this region include NORINCO and the Korea Defense Industry Association.

Dedicated Networking Programs

The Show will host a series of Programs to promote industry networking across all sectors and markets. One-on-one meetings, bringing together pre-vetted suppliers with global buyers at all levels of the supply chain, will be hosted through a tailored Meet the Buyer Program. The cutting-edge matchmaking system offers WDS attendees valuable opportunities to unlock and integrate the international defense industry.

World Defense Show’s Meet the KSA Government Programme will host a dedicated workshop designed to introduce key KSA defense government entities and representatives to international and regional attendees. The session offers insights into the Kingdom’s industry strategy, objectives, tendering and procurement guidelines as well as partnership requirements for businesses looking to enter the local market.

In addition to tailored Programs, WDS badge holders will have access to daily Though Leadership panel discussions and keynote presentations by renowned industry experts, covering critical defense industry themes, including innovation in action, emerging and disruptive technologies, and driving defense transformation through innovation.

Purpose-built venue

The World Defense Show venue, spanning 800,000 square metres, boasts the world’s first purpose-built runway dedicated to a defense event. The 3km-long and 50m-wide dedicated runway will feature the WDS Flying Display Program set to deliver daily unique live demonstrations and static displays of latest aircraft throughout all four show days. Adjacent to the two major exhibition halls, a dedicated 23,200 sqm demonstration area will host the Interoperability Demonstration Program. Featuring live simulations of mission-critical scenarios, the Interoperability Demonstration Program will showcase interoperable solutions using the latest equipment and assets across land, air, naval, space and security systems.

The must-see features of the venue will also be spread across the indoor exhibition space, thought leadership theatres, hard standing for ground equipment and dozens of hospitality suites with views over the static display area and runway.

Shaun Ormrod, Chief Executive Officer of World Defense Show, commented: “We started from a blank slate when designing the venue, so everything is completely purpose-built in line with the requirements of a modern defence event. Dedicated spaces have been specifically created to meet the needs of our exhibitors and facilitate the show theme of interoperability.”

Unlocking Opportunities

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. Held under the Patronage of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, the inaugural show will take place from 6th through 9th March 2022 in Riyadh - Saudi Arabia.

In line with the reform that the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 economic diversification plan outlines, Saudi Arabia is rebalancing defence spending by increasing localisation to 50 per cent over the next decade – with WDS unlocking the opportunity for exhibitors and attendees to be part of the next phase of growth.

The mega event will address the defence industry’s most pressing challenges, showcase pioneering innovative solutions on display throughout the exhibition halls and offer attendees access to network with experts from around the globe.

By connecting key defence contacts, primes, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and buyers, World Defense Show has laid the foundation to advance the defence industry.

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