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BAE Systems will mark 60 years of partnership in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) at the World Defense Show, one of the most comprehensive defense exhibitions in the Kingdom and region, to be held in Riyadh from February 8 to 12. For six decades, the Company’s presence has been built on trust, shared responsibility, and sustained delivery evolving through capability development, localization, skills transfer, and long-term support to national defense and security outcomes. BAE Systems is a Principal Partner in the show’s Future Talent Program reflecting its legacy in the Kingdom and ongoing commitment to support Vision 2030, driving localization, developing Saudi talent, and strengthening sovereign defense capability within the Kingdom. It currently employs 7,000 people in 11 locations across the Kingdom, with 80 percent of its people being Saudi nationals, including within its Kingdom Partner Companies, BAE Systems Arabian Industries and International Systems Engineering. Across the five days, World Defense Show 2026 will showcase the full breadth of BAE Systems’ interoperability and multi-domain capability, highlighting the products, services, and partnerships which underpin the long-standing defense relationship between the KSA and the United Kingdom. The display will span air, land, sea, and training domains, including advanced combat air technologies such as Typhoon and its Striker II helmet-mounted display, future uncrewed platforms like T-150 and Koios, precision effects including the combat-proven APKWS, and next-generation training and mission-readiness solutions such as Project OdySSEy. Maritime autonomy will also feature through systems including Nautomate and Herne, demonstrating intelligent operations in complex environments. Steve Clutton, Managing Director, BAE Systems Saudi Arabia, said:“World Defense Show 2026 reflects how far our partnership with the Kingdom has matured. This year is about more than showcasing capability, it’s about investing in Saudi talent, strengthening local industry, and building a defense ecosystem that is ready for the future. The future of defense in the Kingdom starts with developing Saudi capability today.” The show will also highlight key developments within BAE Systems’ local partner companies, including BAE Systems Arabian Industries, specializing in capability, training and logistics, and International Systems Engineering, who deliver secure, intelligent and sovereign digital solutions shaped for national defense priorities. As Principal Partner of the Future Talent Program, BAE Systems’ participation in World Defense Show 2026 places a renewed emphasis on people and long-term capability. For the first time, the Future Talent Program will run across the full five days of the show, creating sustained opportunities to engage with both early-career and experienced professionals. The program will offer practical insight into career pathways across engineering, technology, and defense, reinforcing the role of Saudi talent in building a resilient, locally anchored defense industry aligned with Vision 2030. BAE SystemsAt BAE Systems, we provide some of the world’s most advanced, technology-led defense, aerospace and security solutions. We employ a skilled workforce of around 110,000 people in more than 40 countries. Working with customers and local partners, we develop, engineer, manufacture and support products and systems to deliver military capability, protect national security and keep critical information and infrastructure secure. BAE Systems Saudi Arabia: Company OverviewBAE Systems is a prominent global company specializing in aerospace and defense services, known for its excellence in engineering, technology, and security. With a substantial workforce of over 7,000 employees in Saudi Arabia, where 80% are Saudi nationals, the company is recognized for its efforts in recruiting and nurturing local talent within the private sector. Collaborating closely with local partners, BAE Systems engages in the development, design, manufacturing, and support of cutting-edge innovations that contribute to economic growth, bolster sovereign defense capabilities, and safeguard commercial interests. This achievement is a result of longstanding partnerships with local industry collaborators and a history spanning close to sixty years of providing advanced technology and training to the Saudi Armed Forces. The company has played a pivotal role in educating numerous Saudi individuals in various fields such as engineering, technology, and aviation. Additionally, BAE Systems offers a wide range of solutions to diverse military sectors, including defense electronics, security systems, and information technology. BAE Systems is unwavering in its dedication to promoting the economic advancement of Saudi Arabia and nurturing a sustainable aerospace and defense industry within the country. In line with this commitment, the company has made significant investments in Saudi enterprises specializing in aviation, technology, and security, exemplified by entities like International Systems Engineering (ISE) and BAE Systems Arabian industries.
