KPMG official Knowledge Partner for World Defense Show 2026
KPMG is the official Knowledge Partner for the World Defense Show (WDS) 2026, a globally recognized defense and security exhibition organized by Saudi Arabia’s General Authority for Military Industries (GAMI). This renewed partnership reinforces KPMG’s long-standing commitment to supporting Vision 2030, particularly the localization of Saudi Arabia’s defense sector, and reflects a shared ambition to shape the future of defense integration both nationally and globally.
The theme of WDS 2026 — The Future of Defense Integration — reflects a growing understanding that modern defense challenges cannot be addressed in isolation. As highlighted in the event’s position paper by KPMG, today’s defense environment is defined by rising geopolitical tensions, disruptive technologies, multi-domain threats, and supply chain vulnerabilities. In response, national defense strategies must evolve toward a more integrated model — one that unifies policy, innovation, industry, and operational execution into a single, agile ecosystem. As Knowledge Partner, KPMG will contribute with not just insights, but with actionable frameworks to help defense stakeholders operationalize this integration across all levels.
“We are proud to partner once again with the World Defense Show — a platform that reflects Saudi Arabia’s rising influence in global defense,” said Chris Moore, Partner and Head of Defense and Security at KPMG Middle East. “This transformation is about more than technology — it’s about empowering local talent, building strategic autonomy, and embedding integration as a national capability. Together, we are turning ambition into action.”
Drawing on its global experience and regional footprint, KPMG will help translate strategic ambition into reality by supporting defense stakeholders across the four pillars of integration outlined in their paper: strategic, military, technological, and industrial. The firm will advise on civil-military coordination, advance foresight planning, and policy alignment, while accelerating operational readiness through enabling key capabilities such as command interoperability and joint training frameworks.
KPMG also helps defense entities harness emerging technologies — including artificial intelligence, automation, and cybersecurity — ensuring innovation is embedded into mission planning and force design rather than siloed in R&D. At the industrial level, the firm works to strengthen local ecosystems, promote sovereign capability, and build more resilient, transparent supply chains that support both national security and economic goals.
Taking place in Riyadh from 8 to 12 February 2026, the World Defense Show will bring together over 900 exhibitors and 100 official delegations. With new features such as the Defense Innovation Theatre Future Defense Lab, the show offers a unique opportunity for governments, defense firms, and technology innovators to collaborate across domains. KPMG’s role spans research, dialogue facilitation, and strategic advisory — supporting WDS as a platform not just for showcasing capability, but for aligning strategy and delivery.
Chris Moore, Partner and Head of Defense and Security at KPMG Middle East.
About World Defense Show (WDS)
Founded by Saudi Arabia’s defense industry regulator, the General Authority for Military Industries (GAMI), WDS serves as the global stage for innovation and technological advancement across air, land, sea, space, and security domains. Reflecting Saudi Arabia’s ambition to becoming a premier global destination for major events, WDS drives the Kingdom’s aspirations to be the future hub of the defense industry. Aligned with Vision 2030, WDS supports the Kingdom’s objective to localize 50% of military expenditures, reinforcing its commitment to a self-sufficient national defense industry. Positioned strategically and backed by economic strength, Saudi Arabia is set to achieve its goals.
Following its inaugural edition in 2022 and a successful second edition in 2024, the third edition, taking place from 8-12 February 2026 in Riyadh, will feature networking programs, live demonstrations of advanced defense solutions, and knowledge-sharing segments that will generate opportunities for local and global military industries. World Defense Show will be held in the presence of Saudi Arabia’s key leadership, international delegations and prominent industry decision makers from around the world. To learn more about the show, visit www.worlddefenseshow.com.
About General Authority for Military Industries (GAMI)
The General Authority for Military Industries (GAMI), founder of the World Defense Show, serves as the key organization responsible for regulating, developing, and licensing Saudi Arabia’s military industries sector. Working alongside public and private partners, GAMI is committed to achieving the Vision 2030 goal of localizing over 50% of the Kingdom’s defense spending, strengthening national manufacturing capabilities, and positioning the sector as a vital pillar of the national economy, with a direct positive impact on the Kingdom’s GDP by 2030. Through WDS, GAMI showcases the Kingdom’s dedication to technological advancement and self-sufficiency in defense.
