World Defence Show: RRM Sanjay Seth to lead Indian delegation to Saudi Arabia
New Delhi: Raksha Rajya Mantri Sanjay Seth will lead a high-level Indian delegation to Saudi Arabia for the World Defence Show 2026 on February 8 and 9, the Union government said on Thursday.
The Ministry of Defence shared the details in an official release. The biennial exhibition will host more than 700 exhibitors and nearly 400 official delegations from across the world. Meanwhile, the Indian delegation will include senior officers from the Department of Defence Production and the Armed Forces.
As part of India’s participation, Sanjay Seth will inaugurate the country’s first-ever India Pavilion at the exhibition. The pavilion will cover 400 square metres. It will highlight India’s expanding capabilities in indigenous defence manufacturing and advanced technology.
Moreover, leading public sector defence enterprises will display their products at the pavilion. These include Armoured Vehicles Nigam Limited, Advanced Weapons and Equipment India Limited, and Munitions India Limited. In addition, Bharat Electronics Limited, India Optel Limited, Bharat Dynamics Limited, and Yantra India Limited will participate.
These companies will showcase tanks, artillery gun systems, missiles, ammunition, and radar platforms. Therefore, officials said the displays would project India’s growing strength in defence production and self-reliance.
World Defence Show platform to strengthen India–Saudi defence cooperation
On the sidelines of the exhibition, Sanjay Seth will hold a bilateral meeting with his Saudi Arabian counterpart. The discussion will focus on expanding defence cooperation and identifying new areas for collaboration.
Further, the Raksha Rajya Mantri will interact with representatives of leading Saudi Arabian industry bodies. These interactions aim to deepen industrial collaboration and strengthen defence manufacturing ties between the two countries.
The Ministry of Defence said the exhibition holds strategic importance for India’s defence industry. It serves as a key platform to showcase indigenisation initiatives, advanced technologies, and manufacturing capabilities to global stakeholders.
Additionally, officials said participation in the event supports India’s defence export ambitions. It also helps Indian companies build international partnerships and enter new markets.
The World Defence Show takes place every two years and is hosted by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Therefore, the government said India’s participation aligns with its broader push to integrate into the global defence ecosystem and expand strategic partnerships.
