Greece’s defence-industrial outreach was on display at World Defense Show 2026, where a delegation from the General Directorate for Defence Investments and Armaments (GDDIA), led by its Director General, took part in the event held in Riyadh.

Working alongside the Hellenic Centre for Defence Innovation (HCDI) and Enterprise Greece, GDDIA supported the Greek national pavilion, promoting the capabilities of Greek defence companies and the country’s expanding defence ecosystem.

Beyond the exhibition floor, the Greek delegation held a series of meetings with foreign counterparts, government officials, and international defence firms. Discussions centred on current and future armament programmes, as well as industrial cooperation, co-production and technology partnerships.

A notable development came from talks between GDDIA and the General Authority for Military Industries (GAMI) of Saudi Arabia. The two sides confirmed a Joint Action Plan designed to structure defence-industrial cooperation, covering areas such as industrial synergies, know-how exchange, product testing, quality assurance and standardisation. The plan also envisages joint investment initiatives, including co-development and co-production projects, shared maintenance and repair facilities, and elements of a common supply chain.

Implementation discussions moved quickly to a practical level, with representatives of Greek defence companies visiting GAMI pavilions to receive briefings on Saudi Arabia’s defence-industrial framework, investment priorities and regulatory environment. The exchanges aimed at familiarising Greek firms with the Saudi ecosystem and identifying concrete areas for follow-on cooperation.

GDDIA’s presence at WDS 26 reflects Athens’ broader effort to raise the international profile of the Greek defence industry and to deepen structured partnerships with key regional players, as Greece seeks to translate diplomatic ties into long-term industrial collaboration.