SOFEX 2026: Localizing Defense Technology in the Era of Smart Warfare

The launch of the 15th edition of the Special Operations Forces Exhibition and Conference, SOFEX 2026,
in Aqaba reflects a strategic reading of unprecedentedly rapid shifts in the
security and military landscape.

Held under Royal patronage, the event
reinforces SOFEX’s position as a key platform for anticipating the emerging
operational environment, where conventional warfare increasingly intersects
with asymmetric threats and the expanding roles of artificial intelligence,
cyber threats, and unmanned aerial systems.

These developments are reshaping
the concept of military readiness, shifting the focus from the quantitative
acquisition of equipment to the ability to anticipate and detect risks,
understand their patterns, and rapidly adapt through the integration of information,
technology, and human capabilities.

SOFEX therefore serves as a strategic
platform for anticipating operational requirements and identifying solutions
that strengthen the defense systems of armed forces and security agencies.

The choice of Aqaba as the host city
for this defense event reinforces its exceptional geopolitical significance,
given its location on the Red Sea and its links to regional supply chains and
trade networks.

Aqaba’s strategic importance has grown further amid disruptions
and risks to maritime navigation through key strategic Straits such as Bab
El-Mandeb and Hormuz.

This significance is further enhanced by Aqaba’s position
as an international communications hub and by the Aqaba Digital City, which
supports artificial intelligence technologies and advanced applications.

These
assets complement Aqaba’s role as a vital investment and tourism hub within
Jordan’s Golden Triangle, reflecting the strategic vision articulated by His
Majesty King Abdullah II bin Al Hussein at the United Nations General Assembly:
“We are strengthening connections from the Gulf to the Mediterranean as a
hub for trade, industry, and technology – while responding to humanitarian
crises.”

Modern warfare requires a
fundamental shift in decision-making, with superiority increasingly dependent
on the ability to aggregate vast volumes of data and process them in real time,
transforming them into actionable intelligence that provides
command-and-control systems with a precise strategic and operational picture.

Jordanian
leadership in this field is demonstrated through the innovative technological
solutions showcased by the Jordan Design and Development Bureau (JODDB) at
SOFEX. The “Awn” platform provides an intelligent environment for
military planning and the development of operational scenarios, enabling
commanders to assess situations and make informed decisions.

The “Moeen”
platform serves as an advanced intelligence tool for collecting and analyzing
data, while the “SHARP I” intelligent system completes this
operational integration by coordinating air operations, monitoring flight
paths, and enhancing airspace awareness between aircraft and control centers.

This intelligent use of data is
complemented by the protection of military infrastructure in cyberspace and
cyber intelligence capabilities for detecting malicious activity and providing
early warning.

Together, these national systems form a digital and human shield
that safeguards the effectiveness of the Jordan Armed Forces – Arab Army,
ensures the sovereignty of Jordanian decision-making, and demonstrates the
country’s ability to develop and localize artificial intelligence capabilities.

Unmanned aerial vehicles and
autonomous systems are driving a structural shift in combat tools and
battlefield reconnaissance concepts, fueled by their rapid proliferation, low
operating costs, diverse payloads, and direct autonomous guidance in complex
environments.

The technical displays at SOFEX reveal a strategic drive to
localize unmanned systems and transfer the technology required to manufacture
and develop them domestically.

They feature a new generation of UAVs equipped
with autonomous navigation algorithms and reconnaissance swarms, alongside
advanced counter-UAS (C-UAS) systems employing radar and electro-optical
detection, electronic defeat, and direct kinetic engagement.

These technologies
are integrated with Special Operations concepts to link detection and
interception data with command-and-control centers and enable the selection of
the appropriate response to each threat.

This capability assumes particular
strategic importance in Jordan’s security environment, where it supports
efforts to counter organized smuggling, secure the borders, protect critical
infrastructure, and combat terrorism.

The systems showcased at SOFEX thus
represent operational capabilities that enhance the readiness of the Jordan
Armed Forces and support the Kingdom’s inherent and legitimate right to protect
its territory and national sovereignty.

In conclusion, SOFEX’s deeper
strategic value extends beyond the platforms and exhibits on display to
building sustainable national capabilities and localizing defense knowledge.

The Jordan Armed Forces – Arab Army continues to shape an operational approach
centered on linking technology to operational requirements, industry to
sustainability, and international cooperation to the higher national interest,
transforming innovation into genuine readiness capable of addressing all
challenges.

These efforts are guided by the vision and direction of His Majesty
King Abdullah II bin Al Hussein, Supreme Commander of the Jordan Armed Forces,
whose strategic leadership continues to reinforce a doctrine of readiness and
continuous modernization, ensuring that the Jordan Armed Forces remain a
stronghold safeguarding Jordan’s security and protecting its national assets.