New Delhi, February 6 — Raksha Rajya Mantri Sanjay Seth will lead a senior Indian delegation to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to attend the third World Defence Show (WDS) 2026 on February 8–9, the Ministry of Defence said in an official statement. The visit underscores India’s growing engagement with global defence forums and an expanding defence partnership with Saudi Arabia.
WDS 2026 is expected to feature more than 700 exhibitors and nearly 400 official delegations from governments, armed forces and defence industries. India’s contingent will include senior officials from the Department of Defence Production and officers from the Armed Forces, reflecting coordination between policy, production and operational stakeholders.
A centerpiece of India’s participation will be the inauguration of the country’s first India Pavilion at the show. Occupying about 400 square metres, the pavilion will highlight India’s indigenous defence manufacturing ecosystem and showcase advanced products and technologies aligned with the government’s focus on self-reliance and indigenisation.
Public sector defence firms taking part 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). Exhibits will span tanks, artillery systems, missiles, ammunition, radars and other critical defence equipment.
On the sidelines of the exhibition, Raksha Rajya Mantri Seth is scheduled to hold a bilateral meeting with his Saudi counterpart to discuss ways to strengthen defence ties, explore collaboration and deepen strategic engagement. He will also meet representatives of leading Saudi industry bodies to promote defence industrial cooperation and encourage joint ventures and partnerships.
The biennial World Defence Show has grown into a major global defence platform. For India, WDS 2026 presents an opportunity to demonstrate indigenisation efforts, display advanced capabilities and forge international partnerships that support its role as a reliable defence manufacturing and technology partner.
