Trade Visitors are welcome from 5th to 8th February. 

Day 1 activities will include:     

Future of Defense Forum – NEW to 2024 

The Future Defense Forum  (Preview Day), featuring keynotes and panel sessions with Government, Military and Industrial senior leadership debating Policy, Defense Industry trends, impacts on Technology & Innovation, and implications for Capabilities and Talent. This will be an invitation only event.

Welcome Speech 

An official Ceremony will open the second edition of World Defense Show. The Welcome Speech will highlight the show’s achievements and celebrate this auspicious occasion. 

The Welcome Speech will be followed by military brand processions, aerobatic display teams and a cultural showcase – true Saudi style!  

Networking Reception 

At the close of the show on day 1 the networking reception at World Defense Show will deliver another occasion during which this exclusive audience can connect.  Held within the heart of the show, the networking event will offer cuisines from around the world in an informal setting.

To find out more on how you can participate at WDS 2024, please contact our team.

 

 

The official Delegation Programs is one of the most important activities for exhibitors. This global platform is designed for high-ranking representatives with buying and influencing power to meet exhibitors, who are looking to showcase and promote technology, nurture and build relationships and create new ones. The first WDS edition saw over 100 delegations from 42 countries and facilitated over 1000 meetings. 

Exhibitors are invited and encouraged to take part in this essential program to maximize business opportunities for your organization and gain the opportunity to showcase and promote your products and services to decision makers. Please note that all exhibitors are eligible to participate in World Defense Show’s Delegation Programs at no charge.  

Contact our team for any questions or to learn more about the official Delegations Program at [email protected]

To find out more on how you can participate at WDS 2024, please contact our team.

 

 

 

 

The Future of Defense Hub will be made up of three core activities that will be running across all days of the show: 

R&D Hub – showcasing Universities and Research & Development Centres who will be conceptualizing the future. 

Innovation Hub – Meet the entrepreneurs of tomorrow.  This exhibition will feature start-up entities displaying the next stage in the evolution of defense technology. 

The Auditorium – A dedicated amphitheater including presentations, panel discussions and funding pitching sessions for investors. 

To find out more on how you can participate at WDS 2024, please contact our team.

 

WDS Space Arena will promote the emerging importance of space and its impact on all aspects of national security. WDS Space Arena will promote international collaboration, encourage engagement between leading space entities, have the most innovative space capabilities and technologies on show, and contribute to the multifaceted international dialogue on space matters.

The Space Arena will highlight the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s strategic ambitions in space and identify future space opportunities for both the Kingdom and international partners. This new show feature will stimulate innovations in defense and inspire the future leaders in this growing domain.

To find out more on how you can participate at WDS 2024, please contact our team.

A sophisticated match-making system will pre-arrange meetings to ensure buyers and suppliers are connected efficiently and on the basis of shared interests. 

The Meet the Buyer Program (now B2B Connect) was a huge success at the first edition in 2022.  Held over two days, the program connected 849 suppliers with 40 buyers with 1,121 meetings across 2 days. 

B2B Connect at WDS 2024 is expanding to a 3-day program to meet the high demand. B2B Connect is a free of charge program and exhibitors will receive priority to participate. 

Running from 5-7th February 2024, B2B Connect will reinforce WDS as an optimal meeting environment for the defense industry.  

To find out more on how you can participate at WDS 2024, please contact our team.

 

The program will present technologies and innovations that will transform defense demonstrating how these are being used to create future military capabilities prepared to tackle current and emerging threats, now and well into the future as well as addressing challenges such as climate change, and the increasing need for skills, pace, agility, adaptability and interoperability in the future of defense. 

Held in dedicated theatres across the show floor and the main conference room, the drop-in sessions are open to all attendees and are free to attend. 

The Thought Leadership Sessions, held in 2022, saw 22 sessions, with 136 speakers and 5,000 attendees during the show. 

To find out more on how you can participate at WDS 2024, please contact our team.

 

This program is developed to introduce exhibitors and visitors to key KSA defense government entities to share the latest developments in procurement guidelines, investment requirements and partnership processes to operate in line with the national defense industry’s overall strategy and objectives.  

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia holds the key to a national defense ecosystem with significant growth potential. 

Meet the KSA Government Program will include sessions conducted by representatives from: The General Authority for Military Industries (GAMI), Saudi Arabian Military Industries (SAMI), Ministry of Defense, National Industrial Development and Logistics Program (NIDLP), Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Investment, National Cybersecurity Authority(NCA), General Authority for Defense Development(GADD), and National Guard.

The session covers a variety of topics including:  

- Transform the Kingdom into a leading global industrial powerhouse and logistics center: Energy Sector, Industry Sector, Local Content, 4IR, Mining Sector, and the Logistics Sector 

- Military Industry Strategy 

- Military Industry Licensing 

- Industrialization Industrial Participation Program 

- Military Industry Supply Chain 

- Military Industry Marketplace (MIM) 

- Military Acquisition Framework Agreements 

- Why businesses are choosing Saudi Arabia 

To find out more on how you can participate at WDS 2024, please contact our team.

 

 

The program is designed to inform, influence and inspire the next generation of innovators from all backgrounds that have the aspiration, knowledge and skills to thrive, and progress a career in Defense. Working in partnership with academia, industry and government, we will deliver exciting, engaging and educational initiatives that enable interaction with inspirational speakers, industry exhibitors and will provide guidance on the various academic and vocational routes into the sector. This show feature offers young professionals valuable advice to progress their careers.  

This program is aligned with the Military Industries Human Capital Strategy (MIHC), that aims to build an ecosystem for Defense in the KSA, contributing to the development of Saudi capabilities and raising young people’s engagement and achievement in STEM subjects and careers.

To find out more on how you can participate at WDS 2024, please contact our team.

 

 

International Women in Defense is proud to host female CEOs and leaders from around the world, through a series of keynotes and panels to celebrate, promote and progress the achievements of women and how they are contributing to the global defense sector. The 1-day event will provide a platform through which female inclusion can be accelerated in line with Saudi Arabia’s 2030 Vision and the wider defense sector.

The inaugural International Women in Defense 2022 conference hosted senior leadership from the defense sector to reinforce women empowerment, share ideas encouraging the pipeline of future talent,  provide visibility of positive role models and promote the benefits of female inclusion to business performance.  The event was headlined by Princess Reema Bint Bandar Bin Sultan, Saudi Arabia’s Ambassador to the United States, Chief Executive Officer of General Dynamics Phebe Novakovic, and former President and Chief Executive Officer of Rolls-Royce North America Marion Blakey.

International Women in Defense will form a main topic within the Content Theatres. The program will be available in due course.

To find out more on how you can participate at WDS 2024, please contact our team.

 

 

World Defense Show’s Live Display feature will demonstrate advanced military land and air assets from exhibiting companies and government entities. World Defense Show brings the full range of defense technologies across the five domains to audiences, the event also offers a multitude of static display platforms capable of hosting the full spectrum of future defense and security technologies. 

Experience the future of defense each day of the show with impressive advanced flying displays including aerobatic teams fast jets, helicopters, and military cargo.  

Each day will host a unique appealing Demo and Displays, featuring: 

1. Land Assets 
2. Autonomous Land Assets (UAV) 
3. Military Aircraft Demonstration 
4. Unmanned Aerials Systems (UAS) 
5. Swarm Technology 
6. Flying Displays (Aerobatic Display Teams) 

To find out more on how you can participate at WDS 2024, please contact our team.

 

Creating opportunities for international cultural exchange, activities will offer exhibitors and visitors a chance to experience the local customs and traditions of the Kingdom. Saudi authentic coffee, traditional live music, dance performances, military bands, calligraphy artisans, literature and falconry are some of the experiences to offer a glimpse into Saudi’s heritage.

In collaboration with the Ministry of Culture and Saudi Tourism Authority the program offers guest cultural tours after show hours in Riyadh, and across the kingdom. 

We encourage exhibitors and visitors to coordinate ahead of the show to enrich their visitor experience.

To find out more on how you can participate at WDS 2024, please contact our team.