Gulf Cooperation Council Rivalry Evident at WDS 2026 Exhibition

The third edition of World Defense show in Saudi Arabia saw an almost complete absence of Emirati defense firms, including EDGE Group and Tawazun, according to Breaking Defense. The move is attributed to deteriorating relations between the two Gulf countries, particularly over their conflicting stances on the conflict in Yemen. Regional analysts suggest that this no-show may be a signal from the UAE to Saudi Arabia, with potential economic consequences for the Kingdom.