Saudi GAMI to Launch Fully Integrated Defense Show in 2022

General Authority for Military Industries (GAMI) logo
General Authority for Military Industries (GAMI) logo
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Saudi GAMI to Launch Fully Integrated Defense Show in 2022

General Authority for Military Industries (GAMI) logo
General Authority for Military Industries (GAMI) logo

Saudi Arabia announced Wednesday it was launching “World Defense Show” in 2022 focused on interoperability across air, land, sea, security, innovative defense technologies, and satellite defense systems.

The General Authority for Military Industries (GAMI) said the show would take center stage in the global defense show circuit, offering exhibitors and visitors the opportunity to participate in Saudi Arabia’s first truly integrated defense show, according to Saudi Press Agency (SPA)

Speaking at a virtual press conference attended by international defense companies, GAMI’s governor Ahmad al-Ohali stated that technology has accelerated the rate at which the global defense industry was evolving, prompting defense considerations to become increasingly complex.

Ohali asserted the need for a platform that would enable the defense community to convene and collectively consider the great opportunities and challenges of nowadays.

“This is why we are launching World Defense Show, an innovative platform showcasing, through both live and virtual demonstrations, the possibilities that interoperability can provide across all five defense domains: air, land, sea, security, and satellite.”

He added that this came to fulfill the aspirations of the leadership in developing local military capabilities, and under the guidance of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defense, and Chairman of GAMI.

Ohali said the Authority was considering two locations for site options, and during the coming period the site would be chosen, explaining that it would include a runway for aviation shows and events.

Asked by Asharq Al-Awsat on Saudi Arabia becoming an investment destination in the fields of military industries, Ohali indicated that the defense exhibition was a fundamental pillar within the strategy developed by the Authority, in cooperation with all partners and stakeholders, to localize the military industries in the Kingdom.

He noted Saudi Arabia's key role in the global defense sector with one of the largest budgets in the world devoted to defense, highlighting the opportunity for manufacturers and international investors to establish partnerships with the Kingdom.

“There is no better place than Saudi Arabia to organize a defense event at this scale. A G20 country, the Kingdom is one of the world’s biggest defense spenders with a strategic location at the center of three continents, making it an ideal hub for defense trade and innovation.”

Saudi Arabia’s vision to localize 50 percent of its multi-billion-dollar defense expenditure by 2030 presents massive opportunities to global industry and investors, according to Ohali.

He pointed out to the importance of the military industry sector in supporting the GDP. It is expected to achieve about $2.5 billion revenues in 2030, and create about 42,000 direct job opportunities.

“Today’s launch of the World Defense Show marks an exciting inflection point for the defense industry and a step forward in the ambition and scale of a defense trade show. Through the World Defense Show we will demonstrate why Saudi Arabia is critical to the defense industry’s future,” the CEO of the World Defense Show Shaun Ormrod, was quoted by SPA as saying.

Ormrod explained that the platform would enable access to dedicated programs that support Saudi Arabia’s local businesses, noting that it would leverage investment opportunities and encourage a new generation to work in the defense industries.

When asked about the exhibition, Ormrod explained how it would uniquely cover all defense sectors and focus on the future of the defense industries by highlighting future technologies and operational compatibility between all systems.

He also indicated that holding the exhibition in Saudi Arabia would allow international investors and manufacturers to partner with one of the largest economies in the world and present opportunities offered by localized defense industries in the Kingdom.

Founded by GAMI, World Defense Show is focused on interoperability across air, land, sea, security, innovative defense technologies, and satellite defense systems. The inaugural event is scheduled to take place between 6th and 9th March 2022 and will then be held biennially in Riyadh.

Over four days, the World Defense Show will showcase comprehensive and interactive displays of integrated defense technology solutions, alongside conferences and thought leadership seminars focused on the next generation of defense.

The show’s venue, estimated to accommodate 80,000 square meters of exhibition, hospitality and outdoor area, will feature demonstration facilities and virtual technological capabilities to showcase every defense domain on an unprecedented scale.



Hevolution CEO Discusses Career in Innovation, Medicine, and Business

Dr. Mehmood Khan, CEO of the Hevolution Foundation
Dr. Mehmood Khan, CEO of the Hevolution Foundation
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Hevolution CEO Discusses Career in Innovation, Medicine, and Business

Dr. Mehmood Khan, CEO of the Hevolution Foundation
Dr. Mehmood Khan, CEO of the Hevolution Foundation

Dr. Mehmood Khan, CEO of the Hevolution Foundation, the largest philanthropy organization funding aging medicine in the world, expressed that receiving Saudi citizenship will boost his scientific and practical capabilities.
He said this new status will help him advance his research, especially in addressing aging.
This comes as part of a recent royal decree granting Saudi citizenship to several notable scholars, doctors, researchers, and innovators.
“Our Chairman, his Royal Highness (Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman), has very high expectations of our work and the impact we need to do; We were created in part because of his vision,” Khan told Asharq Al-Awsat.
“Living up to the expectations and challenges we get faced with is itself exciting, but it is challenging,” revealed Khan, affirming that Hevolution’s team is “up to that task.”
Khan, who has experience in both corporate and medical fields, told Asharq Al-Awsat that his work across academic, public, and private sectors has been a continuous learning process, with each area enhancing the others.
According to the CEO, these industries are interconnected, and combining their strengths often leads to the best solutions.
This insight inspired the Hevolution initiative, which brings together the scientific community, NGOs, pharmaceutical companies, policymakers, academia, biotech firms, CEOs, and others to promote healthy aging.
Khan highlighted the value of integrating insights from different sectors.
Academia provides detailed research, the public sector offers insights on population health and regulations, and the corporate world brings innovation and efficiency, explained Khan, adding that by merging these perspectives, the world can tackle complex health challenges more effectively.
“We’ve been working through, and are now investing, funding and partnering with over 200 scientists around the world, and over 150 different university labs,” said Khan.
Hevolution uses this integrated approach to advance healthy aging.
This initiative embodies my passion for addressing major challenges and offers a significant opportunity to make a global impact.
Khan talked about the first $400 million commitment Hevolution made in the last 23 months, calling it “unprecedented.”
“There has never been a non-profit organization in the world that has gone from not existing to now becoming the largest philanthropy funding aging biology and medicine in the world,” affirmed Khan.
Khan stressed that work at Hevolution not only pushes scientific boundaries but also promotes cross-sector collaboration to improve global health outcomes.
Since Khan’s early days in medical school, he’s been deeply interested in nutrition and population health, which was an unconventional focus back then. This journey set the foundation for his later work in community health.
Khan’s time as an endocrinology faculty member at the Mayo Clinic was crucial. He led programs on diabetes, endocrine diseases, metabolism, and nutrition, which strengthened his expertise in designing disease prevention systems.
In the private sector, Khan took on a key role at Takeda Pharmaceutical as the global head of R&D, which shaped his approach to innovative healthcare solutions.
At PepsiCo, as Chief Scientific Officer, he learned crucial principles of scale, impact, transformation, and tackling global challenges.
As CEO of Hevolution, Khan uses all his professional experience to advance the foundation’s mission of developing health sciences to address age-related diseases.
Khan serves on the boards of Reckitt Benckiser and the Saudi Research, Development, and Innovation Authority (RDIA).
He is the CEO of Life Biosciences, a member of Saudi Arabia’s biotechnology strategy committee, and the chair of the advanced technology visiting committee at the US National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).
Khan told Asharq Al-Awsat that he feels honored to have recently become a Saudi citizen by royal decree, while also holding dual US and UK citizenship. This helps him lead Hevolution effectively and work closely with international partners.
Khan commented on his recent Saudi citizenship, saying that in addition to feeling honored to receive Saudi citizenship by royal decree, alongside other distinguished individuals, this recognition is a great privilege.
Being a Saudi citizen, as per Khan, is a significant milestone and acknowledges the progress in his work in aging science and global health. It also strengthens Khan’s commitment to the work at Hevolution.
Khan noted that this new status enhances his ability to build relationships and collaborate within the Kingdom and internationally. It offers a deeper connection with the local community and better opportunities to engage with policymakers and leaders.
He also said that this recognition boosts Hevolution’s global presence and credibility, making the foundation’s collaborations with international scientists and business leaders stronger. It positions Hevolution as a key player in addressing age-related diseases.
Khan emphasized that this honor reflects the hard work and innovation of Hevolution’s entire team.
The CEO said that it was collective efforts that have made this achievement possible.
Khan also said he is excited to engage more deeply with the scientific and medical community in the Kingdom, adding that his new citizenship helps him contribute to Vision 2030 and the national biotechnology strategy, promoting innovation and attracting top global talent.