Riyadh World Defense Show in Feb to Showcase Cutting-Edge Technologies in Military Industries

The World Defense Show (WDS 2024) will be held in Riyadh from February 4 to 8.
The World Defense Show (WDS 2024) will be held in Riyadh from February 4 to 8.
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Riyadh World Defense Show in Feb to Showcase Cutting-Edge Technologies in Military Industries

The World Defense Show (WDS 2024) will be held in Riyadh from February 4 to 8.
The World Defense Show (WDS 2024) will be held in Riyadh from February 4 to 8.

The General Authority for Military Industries (GAMI), in collaboration with its partners in the public and private sectors, is intensifying its preparations for the second edition of the World Defense Show (WDS 2024), scheduled to take place in Riyadh from February 4 to 8.

The highly-anticipated event will attract distinguished decision-makers from the defense and security fields from across the globe, providing a platform to showcase cutting-edge future techniques in the military industries sector.

WDS 2024 aims to become one of the most prestigious defense and security exhibitions globally. The show will feature more than 750 exhibitors and welcome over 500 official delegations. Participating in the event will be representatives from more than 75 countries, with an expected attendance of 100,000 visitors from both Saudi Arabia and abroad.

Covering an expansive area of 800,000 square meters, WDS 2024 comprises exhibition halls and pavilions where purchasers can engage with exhibitors. Additionally, the show includes exhibition platforms, aircraft spaces, and a purpose-built 2.7 km-long, 50-meter-wide runway.

Saudi Arabia is leveraging this show to strengthen its position as a leading global destination for defense, security, and military industries. The Kingdom aims to advance localization efforts and promote local defense manufacturing capabilities. Furthermore, the event serves as a platform for exchanging expertise on cutting-edge techniques and showcasing the latest advancements in military technologies.

The show will highlight the future of defense across five fields: ground, sea, air, space, and information security. It will explore the latest operational compatibility systems from around the world. Attendees will have the opportunity to witness the latest models of military jets, drones, and military satellites.

In conjunction with the show, the Future Defense Forum will be held for five days, focusing on maritime defense, cybersecurity, and space technologies. The forum will also include meetings with defense leaders and announce winners of the Innovation Award in the Military Industries. The Future Talent Program will be held concurrently with WDS.

Moreover, the International Women in Defense Program, held alongside the main event, will bring together distinguished women leaders from around the world. The program will highlight women’s achievements and their contributions to the global defense and security industry.



GCC Reaffirms Support for Efforts to Achieve Security and Stability in Yemen

Jassem Albudaiwi, Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council, and Dr. Afrah al-Zouba, Yemen’s Foreign Minister. (GCC)
Jassem Albudaiwi, Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council, and Dr. Afrah al-Zouba, Yemen’s Foreign Minister. (GCC)
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GCC Reaffirms Support for Efforts to Achieve Security and Stability in Yemen

Jassem Albudaiwi, Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council, and Dr. Afrah al-Zouba, Yemen’s Foreign Minister. (GCC)
Jassem Albudaiwi, Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council, and Dr. Afrah al-Zouba, Yemen’s Foreign Minister. (GCC)

The Gulf Cooperation Council on Monday reaffirmed its support for Yemen’s security, stability, sovereignty and territorial integrity, and backed efforts to promote peace and prosperity.

The GCC statement came during a phone call between Secretary-General Jassem Albudaiwi and Yemeni Foreign Minister Afrah al-Zouba. The two officials discussed the latest developments in Yemen amid the country’s current circumstances and rapidly unfolding events in the region.

Albudaiwi reiterated that Yemen’s security and stability are of fundamental importance to the security and stability of GCC states and the wider region. He said the council would continue to stand with Yemen and its people and support all efforts to promote security, stability, peace, dignified living and prosperity.


Trump Administration Backs Saudi Arabia’s Right to Defend Itself against Houthis

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio speaks to the press before boarding a plane en route to Iceland at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, on October 5, 2026. (AFP)
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio speaks to the press before boarding a plane en route to Iceland at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, on October 5, 2026. (AFP)
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Trump Administration Backs Saudi Arabia’s Right to Defend Itself against Houthis

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio speaks to the press before boarding a plane en route to Iceland at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, on October 5, 2026. (AFP)
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio speaks to the press before boarding a plane en route to Iceland at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, on October 5, 2026. (AFP)

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stressed on Monday that Washington understands the steps taken by the Saudi-led Arab coalition against the terrorist Houthi militia in Yemen.

The Trump administration is determined to meet its bilateral security commitments with the Kingdom in confronting threats from the Iran-backed group.

“The United States has a defense and security agreement with Saudi Arabia and we intend to live by it. I won’t discuss details further than that,” Rubio told a press conference before departing on a European trip that includes Iceland, Greece and Portugal.

“As far as our view of it, well, I think it’s – the Saudis and Yemeni forces clearly are not in favor of the Houthis controlling that territory close to the – to the [Bab al-Mandeb] strait there,” he added.

“It is territory that was gained as a result of a Houthi offensive, and this is the counter to it. We expected that would happen and that’s what’s happening,” he remarked.

“So obviously the Saudis have come under Houthi attack and see the threat that that poses, and they have a right to defend themselves. And obviously the Yemeni forces are going to try to retake territory that they were ousted from,” Rubio added.


Under Royal Directives, Saudi Arabia to Regularize Residency Status of Yemeni Nationals

The Ministry of Interior said that holding a valid Yemeni passport is an essential prerequisite for regularizing legal status. (Saudi Development and Reconstruction Program for Yemen)
The Ministry of Interior said that holding a valid Yemeni passport is an essential prerequisite for regularizing legal status. (Saudi Development and Reconstruction Program for Yemen)
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Under Royal Directives, Saudi Arabia to Regularize Residency Status of Yemeni Nationals

The Ministry of Interior said that holding a valid Yemeni passport is an essential prerequisite for regularizing legal status. (Saudi Development and Reconstruction Program for Yemen)
The Ministry of Interior said that holding a valid Yemeni passport is an essential prerequisite for regularizing legal status. (Saudi Development and Reconstruction Program for Yemen)

Under the directives of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and in response to a request submitted by Chairman of the Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council Dr. Rashad Mohammed Al-Alimi, the Saudi Ministry of Interior announced on Monday that the status of all Yemeni nationals residing irregularly in the Kingdom will be officially regularized.

The ministry is carrying out the initiative with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development, and Saudi Data and AI Authority, as part of the Kingdom's continued fraternal and humanitarian support for the Yemeni people.

The Ministry of Interior said that holding a valid Yemeni passport is an essential prerequisite for regularizing legal status.

The start date and applicable regulations will be announced through the official accounts of the General Directorate of Passports and other relevant authorities.