Drones steal the show at WDS 2022

Drones stole the show at the inaugural World Defense Show in Riyadh,

The inaugural World Defense Show took place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia this week, becoming the platform for the announcement of an estimated $7.9 billion of defence deals. The event was also an opportunity for the government to show the progress made in ramping up local research and development, and manufacturing, in an effort to localise more than 50 percent of the Kingdom's defence spending by 2030.

As one could have expected, drones stole the show, with new unmanned system launches, global partnerships and made-in-Saudi UAV prototypes. However, there are many factors at play here that make Saudi Arabia a key focus for the local and global UAS/UAV industry. 

First, there are the ongoing drone attacks against targets all over Saudi Arabia by Houthi rebels in #Yemen, with which the Kingdom shares a 1,300km border. Despite the fact that the Houthi's drones are relatively unsophisticated, they remain difficult and expensive to neutralise. For example, shooting down these 'flying lawnmowers' (as the Houthi drones are sometimes disparagingly called) using Raytheon's Patriot surface-to-air missile system can cost $1-$3 million per missile. So, there is naturally a keen interest in anti-drone systems.

Secondly, the military leadership in many Middle East countries have identified drones as an opportunity to boost the capabilities and potential of armed service units. Unmanned aircraft, marine drones and autonomous vehicles can add offensive, reconnaissance and surveillance capabilities at a relatively affordable cost. Their remote operation also means that action can be taken without putting human assets in harm's way, such as in operations beyond borders. With $45 billion earmarked for military spending in 2022, Saudi Arabia is arguably the region's largest potential customer for unmanned systems.

Lastly, new UAV technologies are opening up market opportunities for local aviation and defence manufacturers to succeed in competition with the world's top, and long-established, exporters. The entry level - in terms of both costs and knowledge - for designing and manufacturing UAVs, USVs and UVs can be set a little lower, when compared to fighter jets, tanks, warships and other advanced defence systems. From an investor point of view, they can also be faster to develop and bring to market, lowering risk and raising the prospect of faster returns.

The deals and discussions around the World Defense Show clearly mirrored all these factors, with announcements of local UAV production, the availability of cutting edge new UAV products and anti-drone systems. 

Here's a list of some of the top drone stories from the show:

• Saudi's INTRA Defense Technologies unveiled the design of Samoon, a new medium-altitude, long-endurance unmanned air vehicle (UAV): https://lnkd.in/e2irTKsA

• Monaco-headquartered MARSS Group unveiled an AI-enabled interceptor UAV able to counter hostile drones in urban areas, at a faction of the cost of surface-to-air-missile systems: https://lnkd.in/eJypxTVG

• Saudi group ACES (Advanced Communications & Electronics Systems Company) revealed the formation of a new UAV company called Aerial Solutions and a strategic agreement with China's biggest defence electronics conglomerate CETC (China Electronics Technology Group Corporation) to develop and manufacture UAVs in Saudi Arabia: https://lnkd.in/eFMwg8zr

• Airbus signed a deal with Saudi government-owned The Helicopter Company (THC) to update and expand its fleet of traditional helicopters, while also preparing it for the operation of future urban air mobility (UAM) craft and services like air taxis: https://lnkd.in/ewEhTD3R

• South African UAV manufacturure MILKOR signed an MOU with Ministry of Investment Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (MISO) confirming plans to set up a new operation in the Kingdom: https://lnkd.in/etHnE5-V

• Lockheed Martin announced that it will invest $1 billion in manufacturing in Saudi Arabia. Although few details were mentioned, it's no secret that the company is on the cutting edge of drone research and development: https://lnkd.in/eqgtH3-a

• French defence firm CMN NAVAL uinveiled its UHSI32 autonomous marine interceptor, described as the world’s fastest: https://lnkd.in/ey2NCriq

• European leader in surveillance UAVs Azur Drones signed an agreement with the PIF-owned National Security Services Company (SAFE) for drone-in-a-box solutions: https://lnkd.in/e8QZukg9

Find out more about the region's UAV market:

• Read Al Arabiya's roundup of WDS 2022 drone news.

• Read the Middle East Institute's analysis on drones and geopolitics.

• See Middle East AI News 16-Dec-21 on the Middle East drone market.

• Read AFP's story on air defence taking centre stage at WDS2022.