• Emirati defense firms are absent from the World Defense Show in Saudi Arabia.
• Experts attribute the absence to deteriorating relations between the two Gulf countries.
• Tensions stem from a conflict in Yemen and broader regional rivalry.
• Some companies with UAE ties are exhibiting through parent or subsidiary firms.

The absence of Emirati defense firms may indicate a significant rift in Gulf Cooperation Council relations, which could have implications for regional security engagements and private-sector investments. This development suggests a growing rivalry between Saudi Arabia and the UAE, which may shape the region's security landscape for the next decade.