Saudi Arabia used the Eurosatory 2026 defense and security show to open new investment horizons, showcasing promising opportunities and a regulatory environment designed to attract capital.
The participation helped sharpen the appeal of the Kingdom’s military industries and drew the attention of major global companies seeking strategic partnerships that support Saudi localization targets.
The Saudi pavilion, held at the Paris exhibition from June 15 to 19, reinforced the Kingdom’s position as a leading investment destination in the military industry sector.
Organized by the General Authority for Military Industries (GAMI), the pavilion brought together 10 government and private entities alongside the authority.
The participation underlined Saudi Arabia’s welcome to investors from around the world seeking opportunities in the military industries sector. It also highlighted the Kingdom’s efforts to localize more than 50% of military spending by 2030.
On the sidelines of the exhibition, GAMI Governor Ahmad Al-Ohali met Patrick Pailloux, French Director General for Armament (DGA), as well as representatives of major global defense companies.
The meetings focused on ways to strengthen cooperation in military industries and exchange expertise, supporting the development of a sustainable sector, improving the readiness of military equipment, boosting self-sufficiency and contributing to the national economy.
The Saudi participation also saw the signing of several agreements and memorandums of understanding, part of GAMI’s efforts to develop military industries, strengthen supply chains and enable strategic partnerships.
The authority organized a workshop titled “Developing Supply Chains in Military Industries,” which discussed how an attractive investment environment for local and international investors can help build a diversified and prosperous economy in the sector.
The pavilion showcased the integration of government efforts, national industrial and service capabilities, and the innovative technologies presented by participating Saudi companies. It also highlighted the country’s attractive investment environment and the rapid growth of its military industries sector.
The sector’s contribution to GDP rose from 2.2 billion riyals, or about $587 million, in 2021 to 6.6 billion riyals, or about $1.76 billion, in 2024. The localization rate of military spending also climbed to nearly 25% in 2024, as the Kingdom works toward localizing more than 50% of military spending by 2030.
GAMI said the Saudi pavilion’s participation strengthened the Kingdom’s position as a trusted international partner, expanded its network of relations with major global companies and enabled national firms to showcase their capabilities while exploring opportunities for growth and expansion in global markets.
