The impressive success of the first global exhibition in Riyadh
Under the patronage of Custodian of the two Holy
Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the first edition of the World
Defense Show (WDS) was held in Saudi Arabia’s capital - Riyadh on the beginning
of March. First edition of WDS presented more than 600 exhibitors from over 40
countries and nearly 30,000 visitors attending throughout the four-day show. One
of the largest participants of the exhibition was Russian defense enterprises.
The collective exposition of Russian defense solutions was organized by
Rosoboronexport.
World Defense Show 2022 in the Kingdome of Saudi Arabia attracted global defence
companies and associated industries, and Rosoboronexport as part of Rostec
corporation is no exception. The show was a fully integrated and future-focused
event which provided an ample opportunity to showcase the latest technological
developments from all over the world. Russia was displayed at the WDS-2022 the
whole range of modern assets and comprehensive defense solutions.
World Defense Show (WDS-2022) was organized by the General Authority for
Military Industries (GAMI), SAMI, the strategic partner of the event and Saudi
Arabia’s national champion for the defense industries sector, has set its sights
on accelerating its transformation to become one of the top 25 defense and
security companies in the world by 2030. Apart from showcasing its innovative
and comprehensive defense products and systems, leaders of the global military
industries create more employment opportunities, and boost its exports through
its participation in WDS 2022.
Russia presented very high-performance defense products in Riyadh. Among
Russian's masterpieces was the most modern MI-28NE upgrade combat helicopter,
designed to engage a wide list of targets round the clock in rough weather. It
features powerful unguided and guided weapon systems with enhanced air-to-air
capabilities, better flight performance and maneuverability, modern avionics,
efficient protection against MANPADS with multispectral homing heads due to
self-defense system. MI-28NE outperforms foreign competitors is max combat
payload, flight speed, service ceiling and weight of armour.
let's continue the review. Orion-E reconnaissance and strike system with UAVs is
designed for aerial reconnaissance and target engagement. It has 3 external
racks where 200 kilograms of combat load can be suspended including guided
missiles, guided and conventional air-bombs.
The system can accomplish tasks day and night in partially adverse weather
conditions, any geographic and climatic zone while staying airborne for up to 30
hours. The deployment time is not more than 4 hours and one ground station can
control up to 4 UAVs simultaneously.
Talking about integrated defense solutions Rosoboronexport presented the concept
of layered Missile Defence System which consists of Reconnaissance, C2 and Fire
subsystems such as: long range Air-Defence Missile Systems S-400 capable of
intercepting theatre/short and mid-range ballistic missiles in the range of 60
kilometers at an altitude of up to 25 kilometers, and other aerial targets
within 380 km range at an altitude of up to 30 kilometers, and Abakan highly
jamming immune and maneuverable ADMS with high-firepower designed to intercept
active and perspective non-strategic ballistic missiles in the range of 45
kilometers and at an altitude of up to 25 kilometers; medium range Air-Defence
Missile Systems Vityaz and Viking with 120 km and 65 km engagement range
respectively and up to 25 kilometers in altitude. Both systems can also
intercept theatre ballistic missiles within 25 kilometers; and direct cover
Pantsir-S1M ADGMSs.
The T-90MS MBT is the major player on the battlefield with mighty armament and
strong protection. Cutting-edge solutions in Armoured Vehicles' design merged
with combat experience for your undisputed dominance. The tank has modern AFCS,
powerful and robust engine with reliable transmission. The 125mm cannon engages
targets at long distances with high accuracy and keeps the MBT out of the enemy
anti-tank weapons' engagement zone. Multidimensional protection and life-support
systems ensure high survivability of the tank and crew on the battlefield.
With constant development of unmanned aerial technologies global market shows
the growing demand for counter-UAV assets and Rostec corporation follows the
trend. So let's have a look at the most perspective ones:
RLK-MTSE a system for detecting and countering UAVs which can be used for
protection of critical infrastructure
(military/transport/administrative/industrial and sports facilities). The System
suppresses UAV's data and C2 channels at distances not less than 4 kilometers
and satellite navigation not less than 2 kilometers.
Rubezh-Avtomatika portable radio surveillance and jamming system against
small-sized UAVs is an unbreachable barrier for single drones and swarms of them
attacking from different heights and directions within the area of 3 km. The
system creates a protective dome over designated facilities.
Pischal electromagnetic gun is one of the most lightweight anti-drone guns
available on the market, which provides jamming for UAV's C2 channels within 2
km.
Russian firearms are known all over the world and this year Rosoboronexport
displayed in Riyadh modern AK-19 and AK-308 Kalashnikov Assault Rifles, PPK-20
9x19mm submachine gun, PLK 9mm handgun and DXL-4M long-rang multicaliber sniper
rifle at our venue along with other battle-proven assets. All of them are made
according to the international trends with light and robust materials, Picatinny
rails and up-to-date design features. Their reliability is tested under harshest
weather conditions in various climatic zones for your efficiency in combat and
training.
Relations between Russia and Saudi Arabia have a long history. The Soviet Union
was the first country to recognize an independent Saudi state. The USSR
established diplomatic relations with it on February 19, 1926 by exchanging
notes. In 1932 Prince Faisal, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the KSA, made an
official visit to the USSR.
The most significant recent bilateral development took place in October 2019,
when Riyadh hosted talks between President of Russia Vladimir Putin and King
Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud of Saudi Arabia. As Kremlin reported, the talks
focused, among other things, on coordinating measures to stabilise oil prices,
as well as the situation in Syria and the Persian Gulf region, and the
Palestinian-Israeli settlement. In addition, the leaders discussed building up
their multi-dimensional cooperation in various areas, such as energy,
agriculture, industry and military-technical cooperation, as well as cultural
and humanitarian exchanges.
"Following the visit, a package of bilateral documents was signed, including
both interagency and commercial agreements. The sides signed the Charter of
Cooperation of Oil Producing Countries and the programme for high level
Russian-Saudi strategic cooperation of the Joint Intergovernmental Commission on
Trade, Economic, Scientific and Technological Cooperation. Other documents
concern cooperation in manned cosmonautics and the GLONASS global navigation
satellite system, energy, culture, healthcare, mass communications, tourism,
mutual visa facilitation agreements, encouragement and protection of capital
investment and mutual expansion of agricultural and food exports. A number of
documents regulate specific issues of joint investment and joint projects", -
reported Kremlin.
Later, Vladimir Putin held talks with Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman Al Saud
of Saudi Arabia. The sides also exchanged gifts.
"Bilateral relations were established over 90 years ago in 1926, the dawn of the
state of Saudi Arabia. The Soviet Union was the first foreign country to
recognize the young Kingdom of Hejaz and Nejd led by your father. Your Majesty,
we appreciate your personal contribution to promoting multifaceted Russia-Saudi
Arabia cooperation. Your first ever visit to Russia in October 2017 was quite
effective. The agreements reached back then are being successfully implemented",
- said President of Russia Vladimir Putin.
According to Russian President, Russian-Saudi coordination is an indispensable
element for ensuring security in the Middle East and North Africa.
"I am convinced that without your country, it is hardly possible to achieve a
just and long-term settlement of any problem in this region", - said Vladimir
Putin.
Founded by Saudi Arabia’s General Authority for Military Industries (GAMI),
World Defense Show – set to be held every two years – accelerated the future of
the industry by showcasing the latest technological developments from around the
globe, demonstrating defense interoperability across all major domains – air,
land, sea, space and security systems. Across the four trade days, high-level
delegations from dozens of countries visited stands and pavilions featuring
products and demonstrations from hundreds of global and local exhibitors.
His Excellency Ahmad Al-Ohali, Governor of GAMI, said: “We have seen
overwhelming global interest for participating at World Defense Show’s first
edition and we look forward to providing a conducive environment for networking
and cross-border partnerships to drive innovation in the industry. There has
never been a better time to partner with Saudi Arabia’s defense and security
ecosystem as we continue to transform a nascent industry with immense potential.
Our doors are open to international manufacturers and service providers who
share our vision for technology transfer, talent development and defense
industrialization.”
His Excellency Ahmad Al-Ohali, Governor of GAMI, said: “We have seen
overwhelming global interest for participating at World Defense Show’s first
edition and we look forward to providing a conducive environment for networking
and cross-border partnerships to drive innovation in the industry. There has
never been a better time to partner with Saudi Arabia’s defense and security
ecosystem as we continue to transform a nascent industry with immense potential.
Our doors are open to international manufacturers and service providers who
share our vision for technology transfer, talent development and defense
industrialization.”
Andrew Pearcey, CEO, World Defense Show, said: “World Defense Show is envisioned
to be one of the world’s best defense and security events, providing a
world-class meeting environment with unprecedented networking programs. The
level of international demand is unlike anything we have seen before in the
industry and that is testament to Saudi Arabia’s position as a key market for
the industry and its vision to support economic growth through developing the
defense sector. We look forward to inspiring conversations about the future of
defense among visitors, delegations and exhibitors from over 80 countries.”
World Defense Show is getting ready for the next exciting edition of the
show set to take place from 3 to 6 March 2024.
