Founded by the General Authority for Military Industries (GAMI), the World Defense Show 2026 has been a beacon of innovation and a platform for collaboration. On its fourth day, the emphasis sharply focused on developing national talent, a pivotal aspect of ensuring the Kingdom’s long-term defense capabilities. This focus coincided with the Future Talent Program, aiming to empower young Saudi professionals with the essential skills needed in a rapidly evolving defense landscape.
The Future Talent Program, conducted in the Auditorium, was a highpoint of Day Four. Sponsored by BAE Systems and executed in partnership with the Ministry of Education, this initiative brought together a diverse group of attendees, including students, budding professionals, and seasoned defense experts. Together, they engaged in meaningful discussions centered on the future skills required to support the Kingdom’s ambitious defense transformation journey. Key topics revolved around aligning educational curriculum with industry requirements, fostering competencies for next-generation defense roles, and equipping young talent for advanced domains like cybersecurity, unmanned systems, artificial intelligence, and space technology.
The session began with a resounding call to action regarding the national priority of cultivating future-ready talent. The dialogue was enriched by contributions from senior leaders within the Ministry of Defense, GAMI, and the broader defense industry. These leaders reaffirmed the Kingdom’s commitment to establishing structured pathways that prepare Saudi youth for critical roles in the defense sector, both in technical and strategic capacities.
His Excellency Ahmad Abdulaziz Al-Ohali, Governor of GAMI, emphasized the foundation of human capital in the Kingdom’s defense strategy. He stated: “Developing the national talent pipeline is fundamental to achieving the Kingdom’s defense objectives. Through programs like the Future Talent Program, we are equipping young Saudis with the skills, creativity, and innovative mindset needed to shape the future of our defense ecosystem. This investment ensures long-term sustainability, competitiveness, and sovereignty in support of Vision 2030.”
In addition to the Future Talent Program, other engagements unfolded throughout the show. The Meet the KSA Government Program, also held in the Auditorium, alongside the Saudi Supply Chain Zone, allowed exhibitors to gain insights into national capability priorities and pinpoint opportunities for future industrial cooperation. These interactions served to underline the interconnected nature of talent development, industrial growth, and strategic partnerships, all vital to the Kingdom’s defense transformation journey.
Andrew Pearcey, CEO of World Defense Show, remarked on the significance of the day’s events, stating: “Day Four highlights the heart of Saudi Arabia’s defense ambitions – its people. The Future Talent Program showcases the Kingdom’s investment in developing a skilled, innovative, and future-ready workforce. This is the foundation of long-term capability building and one of the most inspiring elements of WDS 2026.”
World Defense Show 2026 continues to host a myriad of exhibitors, leading defense companies, official delegations, innovators, and investors until February 12. With 1,468 exhibitors from 89 countries participating in live demonstrations and strategic interactions across various domains—including air, land, sea, space, and security—the event plays a crucial role in fostering national capability development and promoting growth within the defense industry.
Follow the Bisinfotech WhatsApp channel to stay updated on India’s new technology ecosystem
(function(d, s, id) {
var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];
if (d.getElementById(id)) return;
js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id;
js.src = “//connect.facebook.net/en_US/sdk.js#xfbml=1&appId=678437085623830&version=v2.3”;
fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);
}(document, ‘script’, ‘facebook-jssdk’));