World Defense Show is gateway to Saudi Arabian defence industry: Andrew Pearcey, CEO, WDS
We are currently working on the 2026 edition, scheduled to take place from February 8-12, says Pearcey
How has the response been for WDS2026 so far and from which countries are you getting most bookings?
The demand has been phenomenal. Just four months after the second edition of the show closed, to global industry approbation, we have already sold 50 pc of the floor space for the third edition. Many of the industry’s leading multi-domain businesses booked their stands for 2026 during the 2024 event. I am in no doubt that World Defense Show 2026, will continue its incredible upward trajectory and be the must attend event for global companies across the defence supply chain. We have received stand reservations from 27 countries, with Saudi Arabia, China, South Korea, Türkiye and the United States, leading the current bookings.
How did WDS 2024 perform, in terms of exhibitors and visitors? Which were the top 3 nationalities in these two categories? What were the targets for the show?
WDS is a global event with 77 exhibiting countries represented in 2024
World Defense Show 2024 was an incredible success, with impressive international participation, further cementing the show’s global significance. Visitor numbers jumped from 65,000 in the first edition to 106,000 in the second edition, which is about a 63 pc increase. We also went from 600 exhibitors to 773, a 29 pc growth and delegation participation really took off, doubling from 221 to 441 over the five days. In terms of targets, we exceeded all our KPIs.
WDS is a global event, with 77 exhibiting countries represented in 2024, but has a unique Kingdom of Saudi Arabia element, standing as a gateway to the Saudi defence industry and a pathway to partnerships within it, so, it is not surprising that the single biggest exhibiting nation was Saudi Arabia, followed by China, Turkey and the USA.
What were the key takeaways from WDS 2024?
773 exhibitors, 106,000 trade visitors and a huge number of delegations attended the WDS 2024 edition, pictured above
From my perspective there were four key elements that made the 2024 show a huge success. We built on the foundations of a successful first edition delivered during a very challenging period where we exceeded expectations of the industry and provided them a unique platform to do business. We positioned WDS as a global showcase of defence innovation and technology. Our unique location and capabilities enable us to demonstrate, in both our live and static displays, cutting-edge equipment and assets, creating an exceptional and immersive experience for all.
Global appeal of the show is undeniable, and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is a huge draw for the industry either from a selling or buying point of view. The proof of this is in the pudding with us welcoming 773 exhibitors, 106,000 trade visitors and a huge number of delegations. I am lucky to have a fantastic team working at WDS. It was their tenacity and talent that truly made the difference and ensured everything came together perfectly during the five days.
All of these factors helped make WDS 2024 a success, but we are not resting on our laurels, and we expect 2026 to be even bigger and better than 2024.
What is the key theme of WDS2026 and how does it correlate to the current defence and security environment around the world?
We are currently working on the 2026 edition, scheduled to take place from February 8-12, and the industry can expect an even bigger and better event. We are building on the show’s theme ‘equipped for tomorrow’ and further details on show themes, features and content will be released over the coming months.
Which are the key segments that WDS2026 will cover?
For the 2026 edition, plans include expanding offerings with more interactive exhibits, enhanced networking opportunities, and new features to support innovation in the defence sector. The goal is to continuously improve and provide even greater value to exhibitors and attendees.
World Defense Show is an emerging discussion hub for the global defence industry. Our conferences and panels host industry leading speakers from around the world, and offer opportunities for governmental entities to meet and cooperate. We aim to maintain and expand this important role.
What are your targets in terms of exhibitors and visitors? Which are the new geographies/countries that you are targeting?
We aim to further enhance the show’s status as a premier event in the defence industry calendar. With 50 pc of the floor space for WDS 2026 already sold, we can see that there is strong interest and confidence in the event. We are not targetting any specific geographies. This is a global show, which welcomes participants from all over the world, and we are already receiving enquiries from countries that have not exhibited previously.
Do you expect regional conflicts in Europe and the Middle East to impact defence shows around the world, including WDS?
WDS is positioning itself as a convener for a more inclusive and diverse defence sector
The focus of the World Defense show is to bring the entire global defence sector together, across nations, throughout the supply chain, and among diverse groups and individuals to drive innovations that make the sector stronger, greener and more advanced. By creating opportunities for global collaboration and partnership, from technology to intelligence to hardware, WDS is positioning itself as a convener for a more inclusive and diverse defence sector.
My mandate is to successfully deliver the most significant event on the global defence industry calendar. We will endeavour to do so, to the best of our ability.
