The Saudi capital, Riyadh, continues to solidify its position as a global hub for defense and security industries. The fourth day of the World Defense Show 2026 , organized by the General Authority for Military Industries, witnessed significant momentum, primarily focused on investing in human capital. This approach aligns with the goals of the Kingdom's Vision 2030, which aims to localize more than 50% of government spending on military equipment and services—a strategic objective that necessitates building a robust base of qualified national talent.
Future Talents Program: A Bridge to Leadership
In a move reflecting its focus on the next generation of innovators, the exhibition dedicated its fourth day to the "Future Talents" program, held in the main theater and sponsored by BAE Systems. This program is a cornerstone of the sector's strategy to align educational outcomes with the actual needs of the defense job market. The program featured intensive dialogue sessions that brought together students and job seekers with leading global industry experts to discuss career paths in vital fields such as cybersecurity, unmanned systems, space technologies, and artificial intelligence.
The strategic and economic importance of the event
The World Defence Exhibition is more than just an exhibition platform; it serves as an economic and developmental engine for the region. By focusing on technology localization and human capital development, the Kingdom aims to transform from a consumer of defense technology to a partner and manufacturer. This transformation will enhance the Kingdom's strategic independence, create thousands of high-quality job opportunities for Saudi youth, and support the growth of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) involved in military supply chains.
Extensive government and industry partnerships
Alongside the talent development programs, the "Government Entities Meeting" and the "Saudi Supply Chains Theater" continued, providing a direct interactive platform between investors and government entities. These meetings aim to showcase promising investment opportunities and address obstacles for international and local partners, thereby strengthening the business environment in the defense sector.
Leadership vision for the future of defense
In this context, His Excellency the Governor of the General Authority for Military Industries, Engineer Ahmed Abdulaziz Al-Ohali, emphasized that human capital is the cornerstone of any sustainable industry. He pointed out that empowering Saudi youth with advanced skills is not an option but a necessity to ensure the sector's global competitiveness. For his part, Andrew Percy, CEO of the exhibition, affirmed that dedicating an entire day to talent reflects the Kingdom's serious commitment to building a defense future based on innovation and national talent.
It is worth noting that the exhibition continues until February 12, with a record participation of 1,468 exhibitors from 89 countries, making it one of the most important defense events on the global agenda, and a key platform for shaping the future of security and defense in the region and the world.
