The second World Defense Show (WDS) has concluded with the signing of 61 purchase contracts worth SR26 billion ($7 billion). WDS 2024 had 773 exhibitors and 441 official delegations from 116 countries. The number of visitors who attended WDS was 106,000.

 

A total of 73 agreements were signed during the WDS days, encompassing 17 industrial partnership agreements, a Saudi Press Agency (SPA) report said. 

 

The General Authority for Military Industries (GAMI) Governor Eng Ahmed bin Abdulaziz Al-Ohali thanked the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, for his patronage of the global event. 

 

Localising military services

Saudi Arabia aims to localise 50% of its military services and equipment expenditures in alignment with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030. 

 

At the show, the Saudi Ministry of Defense signed ten contracts with local and international companies at the to enhance the capabilities of armed forces branches, improve their combat efficiency, and contribute to the support and localisation of defense manufacturing.

 

This aligns with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030 to localise over 50% of military equipment and services spending.

 

The contracts included agreements with Rheinmetall Arabia Simulation and Training (RAST), South Africa’s HENSOLDT GEW, Spain’s Rheinmetall Expal, Bosnia Igman Company, Korea’s Poongsan Corporation, Qudra Industrial Company, Fahad International Company, and the National Company for Mechanical Systems.--TradeArabia News Service