The Minister of Industry discusses localizing military industries in preparation for 2026
His Excellency the Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources, Mr. Bandar bin Ibrahim Al-Khorayef, chaired a roundtable meeting with a select group of leading national companies in the military industries sector, as part of the strategic preparations and meetings accompanying the third edition of the World Defense Show 2026, scheduled to be held in the capital, Riyadh.
This important meeting comes to emphasize the pivotal role played by the industry and mineral resources system in supporting national trends towards enhancing the strategic independence of the Kingdom, as the attendees discussed a package of qualitative initiatives aimed at accelerating the pace of localizing military industries and transferring the latest global technologies to local factories, in order to ensure the building of a solid and sustainable industrial base.
Vision 2030 targets and industrial sovereignty
This movement cannot be separated from the broader context of the Kingdom's Vision 2030, which has set an ambitious goal of localizing more than 50% of total government spending on military equipment and services. This goal is a cornerstone of the strategy to diversify the national economy and reduce reliance on imports in critical sectors, thereby strengthening national security and supporting the balance of payments.
In this context, the meeting reviewed the enablers and incentives offered by the state to stimulate local investment and facilitate the investor journey in this promising sector. The past few years have demonstrated the Kingdom's commitment to this path through the establishment of major national bodies and companies that are leading the way in the military industry, creating a fertile environment for growth and innovation.
World Defence Exhibition: A global platform with a Saudi vision
Discussions surrounding the World Defence Exhibition 2026 are of particular importance, as the event has transformed in its previous two editions into a major international platform bringing together decision-makers, experts, and the world's leading defense companies. Early preparations for the third edition demonstrate the Kingdom's commitment to delivering an event befitting its regional and international standing, and reflecting the rapid development of its manufacturing capabilities.
Empowering manufacturers and removing obstacles
The meeting witnessed significant interaction between the Minister and representatives of national companies, during which their views and proposals for developing the sector were heard. Al-Khuraiji emphasized the integrated government efforts being made to address any challenges that investors may face, stressing the importance of public-private partnerships in enhancing the attractiveness of the investment environment.
The meeting concluded by emphasizing the commitment of the industry and mineral resources system to continue working on raising the percentage of local content, and creating an environment conducive to innovation, research and development, in order to ensure the Kingdom’s leading position on the map of global military industries, and to support sustainable economic growth.
