Brigadier General Mohammad Ali Mheidat, Director of Military Media and official spokesperson for the Special Operations Forces Exhibition and Conference (SOFEX 2026), affirmed that the exhibition serves as a strategic platform for strengthening Jordan’s regional and international standing in defense and security, expanding military, industrial and technological partnerships, supporting national capabilities, and opening new avenues for cooperation and investment.
اضافة اعلان
Speaking at a press conference held at the conclusion of SOFEX 2026, Mheidat said the exhibition’s significance extends beyond displaying defense equipment and technologies. It also provides a platform that brings together military and security leaders, official delegations and specialized companies to exchange expertise, explore technological solutions, and discuss cooperation opportunities, technology transfer and the development of national defense industries.
He explained that the exhibition featured 38 exhibiting countries, representation from 75 countries, 400 official delegations and 350 exhibiting companies, reflecting the event’s expanding international participation and its importance in strengthening engagement between military institutions and companies operating in the defense and security sectors.
Mheidat added that SOFEX holds particular significance amid rapid developments in the regional and international security environment, which are creating growing demands for developing defense capabilities, keeping pace with modern technologies, and enhancing readiness and responses to evolving threats.
In a related development, Mheidat noted that the Jordan Design and Development Bureau (JODDB) signed 15 agreements with international, Arab and local companies, strengthening opportunities for industrial and technological cooperation and supporting the development of national capabilities.
He stressed the importance of Jordanian companies participating in the exhibition, describing it as an opportunity to showcase local products and solutions to military delegations and international companies, build partnerships that facilitate knowledge transfer and develop technical and production capabilities, and open new markets for national products.
He explained that the exhibition’s added value lies in turning networking opportunities into viable industrial and commercial projects that support the growth of Jordanian companies, strengthen their competitiveness and expand investment opportunities in the defense and technology sectors.
Mheidat also noted that the exhibition provides an opportunity to explore the latest developments in communications, command and control, surveillance and reconnaissance, protection systems, individual equipment and unmanned systems. This enables specialists to compare technological solutions and assess their suitability for operational requirements.
He added that exchanging international expertise and experiences, and building partnerships with companies and research and development centers, could help support training, modernization and technical qualification programmes, while strengthening integration between the Jordan Armed Forces–Arab Army, security agencies and the industrial sector.
Mheidat pointed out that SOFEX also serves as a tool for supporting defense diplomacy by expanding relations with brotherly and friendly countries and opening channels for cooperation in training, development and the exchange of expertise.
He affirmed that Jordan’s hosting of the event provides an opportunity to highlight its experience in special operations, training, counterterrorism and border security, while strengthening its presence in international dialogue on defense and security issues.
Mheidat emphasized that the exhibition’s lasting impact depends on its ability to turn meetings and agreements into practical programmes and projects that support national industry, transfer knowledge and technology, and expand opportunities for cooperation and investment, thereby strengthening Jordanian capabilities in the defense and technology sectors.
SOFEX 2026 is significant for bringing together military, diplomatic, industrial and economic dimensions, making it a platform for developing partnerships and strengthening national capabilities rather than merely showcasing defense equipment and technologies.
