New Delhi [India], February 6 (ANI): Raksha Rajya Mantri (RRM) Sanjay Seth will head a senior-level Indian delegation to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to participate in the third edition of the World Defence Show (WDS) 2026, scheduled for February 8 and 9.
The visit highlights India’s increasing engagement with global defence platforms and the expanding scope of defence cooperation with Saudi Arabia, the Ministry of Defence said in an official statement.
WDS 2026 is expected to host over 700 exhibitors and nearly 400 official delegations representing governments, armed forces, and defence industries. India’s delegation will include senior officials from the Department of Defence Production and officers from the Armed Forces, demonstrating coordination between policy, production, and operational stakeholders.
A key feature of India’s presence will be the inauguration of the country’s first-ever India Pavilion at the event. Spread across 400 square metres, the Pavilion will showcase India’s growing indigenous defence manufacturing ecosystem and a range of advanced defence products and technologies driven by the government’s focus on self-reliance and indigenisation.
Prominent public sector defence enterprises participating at the Pavilion include Armoured Vehicles Nigam Limited (AVNL), Advanced Weapons and Equipment India Limited (AWEIL), Munitions India Limited (MIL), Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), India Optel Limited (IOL), Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL), and Yantra India Limited (YIL). These companies will display platforms and systems such as tanks, artillery gun systems, missiles, ammunition, radars, and other critical defence equipment.
On the sidelines, a bilateral meeting between the Raksha Rajya Mantri and his Saudi Arabian counterpart is planned to discuss strengthening defence ties, exploring collaboration, and deepening strategic engagement. RRM will also meet representatives of leading Saudi industry bodies to promote defence industrial cooperation and encourage joint ventures and partnerships.
The World Defence Show, a biennial exhibition hosted by Saudi Arabia, has become a significant global defence platform. For India, WDS 2026 offers an opportunity to showcase indigenisation initiatives, demonstrate advanced technologies, and build partnerships, underscoring India’s intent to be a reliable defence manufacturing and technology partner internationally. (ANI)
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