Pakistan’s Defense Sector at the World Defense Show 2026: A Strategic Export Push and Industrial Integration

Introduction

At the World Defense Show 2026 in Riyadh, Pakistan’s defense industry presented a comprehensive display of military technologies and systems that signal a clear shift in its global posture. The event showcased the country’s capacity to deliver both strategic and tactical hardware, as well as advanced technology products developed by private manufacturers. Pakistan’s participation reflected an increasing focus on international export markets and growing industrial cooperation with Saudi Arabia. The Pakistani pavilion provided a detailed view of the nation’s defense products, ranging from strategic missiles to surveillance sensors, from armored vehicles to smart textiles. The presentation of these systems illustrated how the country’s defense manufacturing base has grown in breadth and complexity.

Pakistan’s approach at the show pointed to a coordinated effort between state-owned entities and private sector firms. This effort aligned with the Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement signed with Saudi Arabia in late 2025. The agreement, which seeks deeper cooperation in security and defense production, guided many of the pavilion’s discussions and display themes. The event also provided a platform to present Pakistan’s own IDEAS 2026 defense exposition to an international audience, highlighting the special 25th anniversary edition, which will be officially space-launched at WDS 2026.

State Sector Presence: Strategic and Tactical Systems

The state sector of Pakistan’s defense industry was unified under the Global Industrial & Defence Solutions (GIDS) banner at the Riyadh show. GIDS served as the primary interface for foreign delegations and highlighted Pakistan’s major defense export offerings. The pavilion included high-profile products from several state-owned enterprises including Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC), Heavy Industries Taxila (HIT), Pakistan Ordnance Factories (POF), and the National Radio & Telecommunication Corporation (NRTC). Each entity presented key systems that reflect Pakistan’s defense manufacturing priorities. GIDS’ display is located in Hall 3, Stand D-13, making it a focal point of the exhibition.

Taimoor Air-Launched Cruise Missile

The most prominent strategic system on display was the Taimoor Air-Launched Cruise Missile (ALCM). With a range of 600 kilometers, the Taimoor is designed for precision standoff engagements. It provides aircraft with the ability to strike targets at extended ranges, and its internal guidance architecture supports accurate navigation and terminal targeting. The Taimoor’s presentation emphasized its role as a long-range solution for modern air forces seeking to extend their operational reach without sacrificing missile accuracy.

Alongside the Taimoor, GIDS is also pitching multiple air-to-ground weapons, including Azb 83/84 glide bombs and AL-BATTAAR laser-guided bombs, broadening the suite of strike options for potential export clients. These systems provide flexible deployment options for both conventional and precision-targeted engagements, positioning Pakistan as a supplier of diverse aerial munitions.

SMASH Hypersonic Missile

Displayed alongside the Taimoor was the SMASH Hypersonic Missile, a dual-role platform with capabilities against both land and maritime targets. The SMASH operates at hypersonic speeds, which complicates interception by modern air defense systems. It is equipped with guidance and control systems that maintain stability at high velocities, reflecting Pakistan’s commitment to fielding advanced deterrence platforms. The missile complements Pakistan’s battle-tested Fatah-II rockets in providing long-range strike and deterrence capabilities.

The presence of SMASH at the Riyadh show was significant because it placed Pakistan in a select group of countries showcasing hypersonic technology. Exhibitors presented performance data that focused on the missile’s ability to penetrate defended airspace and engage moving targets at sea. This presentation aimed to attract the interest of countries that seek advanced strike options but may not have domestic hypersonic development programs.

YALGHAR Loitering Munitions

At the World Defense Show (WDS) 2026, Pakistan’s Global Industrial & Defence Solutions (GIDS) officially shifted the Yalghar brand from a traditional glide bomb to an advanced Loitering Munition system. While the name was previously associated with the "Yalghar-500" glide kit, the 2026 reveal focuses on a highly autonomous, "suicide drone" platform designed for the complex battlefields of the future.

Technical Profile:

This new iteration is a significant leap into AI-enabled warfare, moving beyond remote piloting into the realm of intelligent, autonomous engagement.

AI-Enabled Target Recognition: The system features an integrated "Automatic Target Recognition" (ATR) suite. It can distinguish between decoys and high-value assets (like radar units, air defense systems, or command vehicles) without constant operator input.
Swarm Compatibility: A key highlight for WDS 2026 is the Yalghar’s ability to operate as part of a coordinated swarm, communicating with other units to saturate enemy defenses and ensure mission success.
Guidance & Navigation: It utilizes a multi-mode seeker (likely a combination of EO/IR and Anti-Radiation seekers) and is designed to operate in GPS-denied environments using vision-based navigation.
Range and Endurance: While exact figures remain classified, the system is designed for "extended loitering," allowing it to circle a designated kill zone for over 60–90 minutes before a strike is initiated.
Launch Versatility: The Yalghar can be launched via a pneumatic catapult for ground forces or integrated into the wing stations of the JF-17 Block III for air-launch deployment.

Strategic Context

By rebranding Yalghar into the loitering munition category, GIDS is directly competing with high-end systems like the Switchblade 600 and the Turkish Kargu. It provides the Pakistan Armed Forces, and potential export clients in the Middle East, with a "precision hammer" that can hunt for targets autonomously, reducing the risk to human operators and aircraft.

JF-17 Block III Multirole Fighter

Pakistan Aeronautical Complex displayed the JF-17 Block III, highlighting its multirole capabilities. The aircraft features advanced avionics, improved radar, and expanded weapons integration options. PAC provided detailed briefings on mission systems and modular configurations tailored to customer requirements. The JF-17 Block III was positioned as a cost-effective solution for air forces seeking modern capabilities without the high acquisition and sustainment costs associated with larger fighter programs.

Heavy Industries Taxila: Armored Vehicles

Heavy Industries Taxila showcased the Haider Main Battle Tank and modular armored vehicle upgrades. The Haider MBT includes advanced armor, fire control, and mobility systems. The modular upgrades extend the service life of existing platforms while improving operational performance. The upgrades cover suspension, armor kits, and powertrain enhancements, providing modernization options for nations with legacy fleets.

National Radio & Telecommunication Corporation (NRTC)

The National Radio & Telecommunication Corporation presented AI-enabled C4I systems and electronic warfare solutions, highlighting Pakistan’s focus on battlefield digitization. NRTC demonstrated secure communication suites, signal interception capabilities, and automated situational awareness tools. The company emphasized integration with other platforms, highlighting the importance of electronic resilience in modern conflicts.

Private Sector Contributions: Technology and Specialized Products

The private sector reinforced Pakistan’s technological breadth. Companies presented surveillance systems, modular small arms, UAV technologies, smart textiles, and battlefield management solutions. Their participation marked a shift from traditional commercial outputs toward high-technology defense products.

SHIBLI Surveillance Systems

SHIBLI unveiled over twenty integrated surveillance systems. Key products included FALCON cooled thermal binoculars and GUARDIAN PRO electro-optical sensors for coastal and border security. Presentations highlighted wide-area monitoring capabilities, low false alarm rates, and networking features. These systems were targeted at Gulf Cooperation Council nations requiring advanced observation technologies.

Daudsons Armoury

Daudsons Armoury exhibited modular small arms and air-delivered munitions. The systems are configurable for multiple mission profiles and provide cost-effective alternatives to Western platforms. Detailed documentation highlighted weapon specifications, maintenance procedures, and NATO caliber compatibility.

Specialized Textiles and Smart Gear

Specialized Textiles and Siddiqsons presented smart uniforms and ballistic protection. Smart uniforms feature integrated environmental sensors and moisture-wicking capabilities for extreme desert conditions. Ballistic vests provide protection while maintaining mobility. These solutions integrate operational awareness and protective technology in a single package.

Rapidev Group

Rapidev Group presented Integrated Tactical Solutions, emphasizing digital battlefield management and engineering services supporting rapid prototyping of military hardware. Delegations were shown software-enabled management tools for operational planning and mission execution, bridging command systems with real-time field intelligence.

Sky Technology & Innovations

Sky Technology & Innovations highlighted UAV swarm logic and vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) platforms. Demonstrations focused on autonomous ISR capabilities, showing how UAVs can operate collaboratively in complex airspaces while providing intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance data to command units.

Sysverve Aerospace

Sysverve Aerospace focused on training solutions, exhibiting unmanned air target systems used for live-fire drills and weapon system evaluations. These systems support tactical proficiency and operational testing, offering export clients tools for both training and systems assessment.

Signatics (Private) Limited

Signatics (Private) Limited contributed advanced electronic warfare components and signal intelligence tools. These solutions provide capabilities for electronic suppression, interception, and battlefield signal management. Their integration at the pavilion highlighted Pakistan’s growing private sector strength in electronic and cyber domains.

Strategic Context: Industrial Agreements and Regional Integration

Pakistan’s pavilion reflected broader strategic objectives tied to the Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement with Saudi Arabia. Discussions focused on joint production, technology transfer, and coordinated defense planning. The IDEAS 2026 exposition, space-launched at WDS 2026, further emphasized Pakistan’s role in long-term industrial cooperation with Saudi Arabia. Pavilion briefings highlighted alignment with Saudi Vision 2030, particularly the goal of localizing 50 percent of defense spending.

The integration of state and private capabilities underscored a coordinated approach to industrial collaboration. GIDS and private companies alike presented systems suitable for both national security needs and international export markets, signaling Pakistan’s readiness to engage with foreign partners for co-production and technology exchange.

Export Potential and Market Position

Pakistan’s participation projected clear export ambitions. Delegations from Asia, Africa, and the Middle East examined strategic and tactical platforms, including the Taimoor ALCM, SMASH hypersonic missile, Fatah-II rockets, YALGHAR loitering munitions, JF-17 Block III, armored vehicles, UAV systems, and advanced surveillance and textile solutions. Technical briefings addressed integration, lifecycle support, and localized production possibilities. Pakistan’s defense export pipeline is estimated at $13 billion, supported by both state and private sector contributions.

The diverse product lineup demonstrated Pakistan’s ability to provide alternatives to Western platforms while offering tailored solutions for nations seeking cost-effective, operationally relevant systems. Private sector innovations in UAVs, EW, smart textiles, and battlefield management complemented the state’s heavy systems, reinforcing the perception of a fully integrated defense industry.

Conclusion

At the World Defense Show 2026 in Riyadh, Pakistan presented a comprehensive and coordinated defense capability. The combined presence of state-owned enterprises and private sector firms offered strategic, tactical, and technological solutions, ranging from advanced missiles to smart battlefield systems. The pavilion reflected Pakistan’s growing role as a global defense supplier and its industrial collaboration with Saudi Arabia under the Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement.

The display of systems including Taimoor, SMASH, Fatah-II rockets, YALGHAR loitering munitions, JF-17 Block III, Haider MBT, modular armored upgrades, UAV platforms, surveillance solutions, and smart textiles illustrated the country’s breadth of capability. Pakistan successfully conveyed its ability to integrate public and private strengths, positioning itself as a reliable exporter capable of meeting modern operational demands and supporting allied defense initiatives.

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