Aqaba:The 15th edition of the Special Operations Forces Exhibition and Conference (SOFEX 2026) wrapped up its three-day event in Aqaba, drawing to a close a significant international assembly of military delegations, defense officials, and industry specialists.
According to Jordan News Agency, the final day of SOFEX 2026 featured musical performances by the Jordan Armed Forces Band, an airshow, and live tactical demonstrations by exhibitors, highlighting the operational capabilities of various defense equipment and technologies.
This year's exhibition saw the participation of over 400 official delegations from 75 nations, along with 350 exhibiting companies representing 38 countries. The event provided a platform for showcasing advanced defense and security solutions and exploring opportunities for international technical cooperation.
On the sidelines of the exhibition, the Jordan Design and Development Bureau (JODDB) signed several agreements and memorandums of understanding (MoUs) with national companies. These agreements aim to advance defense manufacturing, recreational aircraft development, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence (AI), and cloud computing. Notable agreements include a partnership with Ozone Jordan Facility Management for recreational aircraft development and a deal with Al Azimah for defense engineering support and technical training.
Additionally, JODDB entered into two MoUs one with Umniah to collaborate on cybersecurity, AI, and cloud solutions, and another with Al Bunya Data Center "Al-Nujoom" to co-develop AI applications and cybersecurity frameworks. Organized biennially, SOFEX continues to serve as a crucial international platform for connecting defense leaders and manufacturers to review tactical technology, address operational challenges, and foster industrial and defense partnerships.