Saudi Arabia’s growing ambitions in the global defense industry, the kingdom is making its debut at the Athens International Defense and Security Exhibition, one of Europe’s key platforms for showcasing military innovation and strategic collaboration.
The Saudi presence at the event marks a major milestone in its ongoing efforts to diversify its economy and assert itself as a rising power in defense manufacturing and technology.
The Saudi pavilion, drawing considerable attention from international delegates, government officials, and defense contractors, is designed to project the kingdom’s capabilities in both traditional and advanced defense domains. It features a wide array of systems developed or co-developed by Saudi companies, including state-of-the-art drones, precision-guided munitions, command-and-control systems, and cyber-defense platforms. Representatives from Saudi Arabian Military Industries (SAMI), the kingdom’s flagship defense conglomerate, are present to engage in high-level discussions and promote investment opportunities to European and global partners.
This inaugural participation is part of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 initiative, a comprehensive economic and social reform program launched under the leadership of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. A key pillar of Vision 2030 is the localization of more than 50% of the kingdom’s defense spending, with the goal of turning Saudi Arabia into a self-reliant and competitive hub for defense innovation. Participation in international expos such as the one in Athens serves this goal by facilitating the exchange of technology, attracting foreign partnerships, and enhancing the kingdom’s global visibility in the defense arena.
Saudi officials at the exhibition have been actively promoting the kingdom’s growing defense industrial base, which includes both government-backed firms and an expanding number of private sector players. Emphasis is being placed on Saudi Arabia’s willingness to engage in joint ventures, technology transfer agreements, and R\&D collaborations, particularly with European firms that see the Gulf region as a strategic market with high potential. During a panel discussion on defense localization, a senior SAMI executive noted that “the kingdom is not only seeking to purchase world-class systems, but to build them, customize them, and export them as part of a competitive regional industry.”
Key technologies on display include the SkyGuard drone system, developed in partnership with international UAV specialists, and an AI-driven battlefield management platform that integrates surveillance, threat analysis, and response coordination. These innovations reflect Saudi Arabia’s commitment to incorporating artificial intelligence, data analytics, and robotics into its future defense posture, aligning with broader trends seen across NATO and other leading military powers.
Another central message from the Saudi delegation has been the strategic role of defense in broader geopolitical and economic alliances. With defense being a linchpin of national security, Saudi officials have highlighted their commitment to supporting regional stability, particularly in the Gulf and Red Sea corridors. Participation in the Athens exhibition is seen not only as a commercial endeavor but also as a diplomatic signal—positioning the kingdom as a capable, collaborative, and future-ready security partner on the global stage.
The event has also provided a platform for dialogue on multilateral defense cooperation. Saudi defense leaders have held meetings with officials from Greece, France, Italy, and Eastern European nations, many of whom are seeking to diversify their military supply chains and bolster bilateral ties with Middle Eastern powers. Greece, in particular, has expressed interest in deepening military ties with Riyadh, following a series of joint naval exercises and defense agreements signed in recent years.
Analysts note that Saudi Arabia’s growing defense footprint is part of a broader strategic realignment in the Middle East, where Gulf countries are increasingly taking control of their own security architecture rather than relying solely on traditional Western defense suppliers. The Athens exhibition is one of several international platforms where Saudi Arabia is expected to showcase its defense ambitions in 2025, with further appearances planned in Paris, Istanbul, and Seoul later in the year.
As the exhibition continues, the Saudi pavilion has emerged as one of the most visited at the event, drawing interest not only for the systems on display but for what they represent—a nation actively shaping its future by investing in strategic autonomy, technological sovereignty, and defense diplomacy. With more than \$20 billion allocated for defense R\&D over the next decade, Saudi Arabia is signaling that it intends to be not just a buyer in the global arms market, but a serious player and innovator.
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