World Defense Show to unlock Middle East opportunity at DSEI as trade association ADS signs deal to operate UK Pavilion

• Senior-level Saudi delegation to highlight Gulf opportunities during London event
• ADS will co-ordinate and manage the UK Pavilion at the inaugural World Defense Show
• The organization represents more than 1,100 UK businesses across the defense sector

Riyadh, 14 September 2021 – – Saudi Arabia’s World Defense Show has announced its participation at the Defence and Security Equipment International (DSEI) event, unlocking the Middle East opportunity for UK firms.

A senior-level delegation from World Defense Show, held under the Patronage of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, will be at the DSEI Saudi Pavilion to highlight opportunities in the Gulf defense show market.

Other major players from the Kingdom in attendance at DSEI will include event founder General Authority for Military Industries (GAMI) and strategic partner Saudi Arabian Military Industries (SAMI).

Several high-level dignitaries as well as leaders and key executives of large multinationals are set to visit the Saudi Pavilion, which will showcase a comprehensive portfolio of defense systems and solutions.

Meanwhile, ADS, which represents more than 1,100 UK businesses operating in the aerospace, defense, security and space sectors, has officially confirmed its attendance at Saudi Arabia’s World Defense Show.

The company will co-ordinate and manage the UK Pavilion at the inaugural show in Riyadh from March 6-9 2022, unlocking opportunities for firms to access the fast-growing Middle East defense market.

In the UK, ADS represents members ranging from major multinational businesses to hundreds of small and medium sized companies in every part of the UK.

ADS and the UK Pavilion join hundreds of global defense companies that have signed up for exhibition space, including General Dynamics, Leonardo, Lockheed Martin, Raytheon and Rolls Royce.

In addition to the UK Pavilion, other major econmies taking dedicated space include the USA, China, France, Spain, Italy, Estonia, Bulgaria, Portugal, South Korea and Ukraine.

Meanwhile, six of the Kingdom’s largest 10 defense firms – including Saudi Arabian Military Industries, Military Industries Corporation, Al-Tadrea, GDC, Middle East Propulsion Company, National Company for Mechanical Systems, and Wahaj –have booked their stands.

Shaun Ormrod, Chief Executive Officer of World Defense Show, commented: “Following months of COVID restrictions, video calls and remote meetings, we are thrilled to be getting back on the ground and welcoming clients to the Saudi Pavilion at DSEI.

“Visitors to the stand will be able to connect with key industry players and learn more about Middle East market opportunities at a time when regional defense economies are booming thanks to a rapid increase in local spending.

“Our agreement with ADS means UK firms will further benefit from being part of a dedicated international pavilion space, bringing valuable brand exposure and increased footfall throughout the event.”

David Scotter, Director of Events at ADS, said: “The World Defense Show provides a new platform for UK companies to showcase their defense expertise and capabilities to the world, and we are looking forward to hosting the event’s first-ever UK Pavilion.

“This will provide prime exhibition space at World Defense Show alongside major British manufacturers, creating significant exposure for companies seeking to make an impact in Saudi Arabia.”

“As well as expert guidance, support and additional facilities, the UK Pavilion delivers an ideal solution for UK businesses looking to tap in to the growing Middle East market.”

Hosted in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from March 6-9 2022, World Defense Show will serve as the global stage for defense interoperability, a topic that has become a growing challenge for decision-makers around the world, connecting all five key domains – air, land, sea, space and security.

It is the first event to put KSA on the map as a global defense hub, gathering peers and partners from the east and west to work together.

The biennial event will enable the industry to keep pace with developments across defense and technology. The speed at which these developments take place compels the industry to cooperate across borders and domain expertise to generate opportunities throughout the defense value chain.

By connecting key defense contacts, primes, SMEs, and buyers, World Defense Show has laid the foundations to advance the defense industry and address the challenges presented by ever-deeper defense systems integration.