A delegation from the General Directorate for Defence Investments and Armaments (GDDIA), headed by the Director General, participated in the international defence exhibition World Defense Show 2026 (WDS 26), held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
During the exhibition, GDDIA, together with HCDI and Enterprise Greece, actively supported the Greek national participation and the Greek pavilion, contributing to highlighting the capabilities of the domestic defence industry and strengthening the outward orientation of the Greek defence ecosystem.
Within the framework of the exhibition, a series of bilateral and multilateral meetings were held with counterparts, government officials from other countries, as well as representatives of international defence companies. Discussions focused on armament programs of mutual interest, as well as prospects for industrial cooperation and co-production.
Of particular importance was the bilateral meeting between the Director General of GDDIA and the Governor of the General Authority for Military Industries (GAMI) of Saudi Arabia. During the meeting, the approval of the Joint Action Plan to enhance collaboration between the two countries in the field of the defence industry was announced. The Action Plan establishes a specific framework for cooperation in areas of common interest, with emphasis on the development of industrial synergies, exchange of know-how, testing of products, quality assurance and standardization procedures, with the ultimate objective of promoting investment initiatives for joint development and co-production of products, the establishment of joint maintenance and repair centers, the development of a common supply chain, among others.
At the same time, the launch of the implementation phase of the envisaged actions was marked by the organized visit of representatives of Greek companies to the GAMI pavilions, in order to receive detailed briefings on its procedures and structures, strategic investment objectives, areas of activity, and the regulatory framework governing the Saudi defence industry. This initiative facilitated familiarization and connectivity between the two defence ecosystems, laying foundations for future cooperation.
GDDIA’s participation in WDS 26 reaffirms the strategic objective of the Hellenic Ministry of Defence of strengthening the international presence of the Greek defence industry and of developing substantive bilateral partnerships that serve the country’s national armaments and industrial interests.
