PARIS — The World Defense Show (WDS) is positioning its future editions around expanded live demonstrations, deeper industry engagement and broader multi-domain integration, as the Saudi Arabia–based exhibition prepares for its next cycle in 2028.
Speaking on the sidelines of Eurosatory 2026, WDS Chief Executive Officer Andrew Pearcey said the event has evolved into a platform designed not only for exhibitions, but for sustained industry relationships and operational-level engagement between governments, manufacturers and defense stakeholders.
“It’s all about relationships in the defense industry world,” Pearcey said. “We can build relationships up again, start the momentum moving forward to the next show.”
According to Pearcey, the World Defense Show model is built around three pillars: high-level meetings, live capability demonstrations, and structured knowledge-sharing programs. He said this combination is intended to bridge the gap between concept and operational reality.
“We try and mix a balance of having meaningful, high-level meetings alongside good live demonstrations, and then good content as well,” he said.
Live demonstrations, in particular, remain a defining feature of the show’s format. Pearcey noted that the ability to demonstrate integrated capabilities across land, air, sea and other domains gives the exhibition a distinctive operational dimension compared to traditional static trade fairs.
“It’s very easy to talk about things,” he said. “But if you can see them in real life happening, you can show how the technology works together.”
Reflecting on the 2026 edition, Pearcey said the event has reached a “mature level” in terms of scale and operational execution, citing significant increases in participation across exhibitors, delegations and international visitors.
He noted that the 2026 edition recorded approximately 1,500 exhibitors from 89 countries, 137,000 visitors from 140 countries, and nearly 500 official delegations, alongside announced deals and orders totaling SAR 33 Billion ($8.8 Billion) during the event.
Looking ahead to 2028, Pearcey said the exhibition will expand further in size and scope, including the potential introduction of new domains such as security-focused capabilities, as well as increased floor space and platform capacity.
Beyond growth metrics, he said the long-term objective is to position the World Defense Show as a globally recognized defense industry platform that supports both international collaboration and Saudi Arabia’s localization ambitions under its defense industrial strategy.
The event is organized under Saudi Arabia’s General Authority for Military Industries (GAMI) and has rapidly developed into one of the largest international defense gatherings, combining exhibitions, live demonstrations, and government-led programs in a single integrated environment.