Aqaba:His Majesty King Abdullah II, the Supreme Commander of the Jordan Armed Forces-Arab Army (JAF), inaugurated the 15th edition of the Special Operations Forces Exhibition and Conference (SOFEX 2026) in Aqaba. The event was attended by Their Royal Highnesses Crown Prince Al Hussein bin Abdullah II and Prince Hashem bin Abdullah II.
According to Jordan News Agency, SOFEX is organized in coordination with the JAF and serves as a leading forum for manufacturers and suppliers of special operations equipment. It provides a platform to showcase the latest military technologies, defense solutions, and cybersecurity systems, while also facilitating the exchange of expertise and fostering partnerships between international companies and official delegations.
The King received a briefing from SOFEX organizers about the conference themes and key participants. This year's event is noted as the largest to date in terms of exhibition space and the number of participating countries, with over 400 official delegations from 75 countries and 350 exhibiting companies from 38 countries.
During the opening ceremony, SOFEX Chairman Brig. Gen. (retired) Ayman Al Batran highlighted the critical timing of this year's exhibition amidst complex regional challenges. He emphasized the need for increased preparedness and international cooperation, as well as the formation of integrated strategic partnerships across nations, armed forces, security agencies, and leaders in defense technology.
Additionally, the commander of the King Abdullah II Royal Special Forces Group noted the rapid development of modern warfare technologies such as artificial intelligence and autonomous systems, stating that technical superiority must be paired with field experience and adaptability. He stressed the importance of international partnerships in shaping the future of special operations forces.
King Abdullah II toured the exhibition, viewing displays from both local and international companies, and was briefed on the latest developments in military technology and defense solutions. On the sidelines of SOFEX, the King met with several military officials, including representatives from Lebanon, the United Kingdom, NATO, France, Poland, Malaysia, and Barbados.
Several members of the Royal Family, along with senior officers and officials, were also present at the opening ceremony.