King Abdullah II Opens SOFEX 2026 in Aqaba, Showcasing Global Defence Innovation
AQABA, JORDAN — Under the patronage of His Majesty King Abdullah II, Supreme Commander of the Jordan Armed Forces–Arab Army (JAF), the 15th edition of the Special Operations Forces Exhibition and Conference (SOFEX 2026) officially kicked off on Tuesday at the Aqaba International Exhibition and Conference Centre.
His Majesty was accompanied by Their Royal Highnesses Crown Prince Al Hussein bin Abdullah II and Prince Hashem bin Abdullah II during the high-profile opening ceremony, which gathered military leaders, global defence firms, and official delegations from around the world.
A Premier Global Gathering for Special Operations
Organised in close coordination with the JAF, this year’s SOFEX marks the largest edition to date in terms of both exhibition footprint and international participation. Over 400 official delegations representing 75 countries and 350 exhibiting companies from 38 nations have descended on Aqaba to exchange expertise, unveil cutting-edge technologies, and forge strategic partnerships.
During the event, King Abdullah II toured the expansive pavilions, speaking directly with exhibition leaders, pavilion managers, and innovators. His Majesty was briefed on the latest developments in:
- Artificial intelligence & autonomous systems integrated into modern warfare.
- Cybersecurity platforms tailored for complex tactical environments.
- Next-generation special forces gear, smart tactical systems, and security solutions.
Strategic Partnerships Amid Evolving Global Challenges
Speaking at the ceremony, SOFEX Chairman Brig. Gen. (ret.) Ayman Al Batran emphasized that the 2026 exhibition takes place at a crucial moment in regional and international security.
“Addressing these rapidly evolving changes requires raising the level of preparedness and strengthening international cooperation,” Batran noted, highlighting how three decades of SOFEX have cemented Jordan’s standing as a regional and global hub for defence innovation under the Royal vision.
The commander of the King Abdullah II Royal Special Forces Group echoed these sentiments, stressing that technical superiority alone is no longer enough. Modern warfare requires rapid adaptability in the field, combined with deep, collaborative partnerships between nations, security agencies, and defence pioneers.
High-Level Bilateral Engagements
Reflecting the event’s global strategic weight, King Abdullah II conducted several high-level meetings on the sidelines of the exhibition with prominent international defence leaders, including:
- Lebanon: Minister of National Defence Michel Menassah & Chief of Staff Maj. Gen. Hassan Odeh
- United Kingdom: Defence Senior Adviser to the MENA Region, Vice Admiral Edward Ahlgren
- NATO: Deputy Supreme Allied Commander, Gen. Aurelio Colagrande
- France: Rear Admiral Samuel Majou
- Poland: Maj. Gen. Michał Strzelecki
- Malaysia: Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Datuk Azhan Md Othman
- Barbados: Chief of Staff Brig. Carlos Lovell
The opening ceremony was also attended by members of the Royal Family, senior military commanders, and top government officials, underscoring Jordan’s unified commitment to advancing security solutions for tomorrow’s challenges.
OUR SPECIAL EDITION MAGAZINE | SOFEX 2026
IDA’s Special Edition Magazine is on display at SOFEX 2026, Aqaba, Jordan (27–29 October).Visitors and delegates can collect their copies at AIEC. Digital Edition now live.
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