On February 4, the world’s largest arms fair, the World Defense Show (WDS), will open its doors north of Riyadh for the second time since it was founded in 2022. Founded by the General Authority for Military Industries (GAMI), the WDS serves as a global stage for innovation and technological progress in the field of security and defense. With more than seven billion euros in orders and announcements as well as 40 Memorandums of Understanding & Cooperation Agreements, the event was already a complete success at its first edition.
Perhaps surprisingly, a not-so-small part of this year’s event is once again dedicated to women in the field of defense and security. Women were already a topic at the trade fair in 2022. Back then, Her Royal Highness Reema bint Bandar Al Saud, Saudi Arabia’s ambassador to the United States, chaired the program, which was attended by industry leaders such as General Dynamics CEO Phebe Novakovic and former Rolls-Royce North America CEO Marion Blakey. In addition, women who were already part of the armed forces represented their branches of the armed forces in which they serve during the fair.
Ambassador Reema bint Bandar Al Saud emphasized the Kingdom’s commitment to the advancement of women in all areas, especially in the defense and security sectors, ahead of the WDS 2024. As part of the Saudi “Vision 2030”, she emphasized the progress that has been made within this framework, especially with regard to the empowerment of women and their inclusion in the Saudi working world and society. The program is contributing to positive change in gender equality across the Middle East, the ambassador said. Initiatives like this could also trigger a global dynamic in the still very male-dominated defense sector. With the launch of the “Vision 2030” program in 2018, the Saudi royal family has initiated positive changes not only in its own country, but throughout the Middle East. The aim is to increase the integration of women in the world of work and in security-related areas. This has certainly been successful: Jana Sader became the first female fixed wing pilot in Lebanon, Sabaa Thnaibat the first female F-16 pilot in the Jordanian Air Force, Sheikha Aisha bint Rashid Al Khalifa became the first female fighter pilot in Bahrain, Sara Sabry the first Egyptian woman in space, and Saudi Arabian Rayannah Barnawi became the first Arab female astronaut. There are also positive developments in the Saudi armed forces: After the Chief of Staff of the Saudi military, General Fayyad Al Ruwaili, and the Director General of the General Administration of Admissions and Recruitment, Major General Imad Al Aidan, introduced the first military department for women in the Saudi Arabian armed forces in January 2021, women were able to join the military as lance corporals, non-commissioned officers and staff sergeants in the Land Forces, Air Defense Forces, Navy, Strategic Missile Forces and Armed Forces Medical Service. Women can also advance to a number of officer positions and higher ranks. The establishment of the Armed Forces Cadre Training Center for Women in February 2022 was another important step in preparing women for military duties. The first female recruits graduated from the Armed Forces Cadre Training Center for Women in September last year, marking the first time in the Kingdom’s history that women have been able to serve on the frontline. https://militaeraktuell.at/eu-orban-gibt-veto-auf-ukraine-hilfe-auf-dem-weg/ Other initiatives to promote equality and diversity have been implemented in defense institutions to ensure equal opportunities for men and women in recruitment, training and career advancement. Arab countries have also invested in mentorship programs and leadership development initiatives specifically tailored to women in the defense sector, creating an enabling environment for their professional development. As part of the Women in Defense program, the World Defense Show 2024 will showcase influential women leaders from around the world and celebrate their achievements, address challenges and discuss their global impact on the defense sector. The role of women in the global defense industry will be a central theme on the fourth day of the exhibition.
Key note speakers include Heidi Grant, Vice President of Defense Global Growth & Engagement at Boeing Defense, Space & Security (BDS), the Honorable Barbara Barrett, former Secretary of the US Air Force and Major General Adel Al-Balawi, Head of Armed Forces Education and Training Authority, KSA.
