AQABA, Jordan — The Jordanian Armed Forces (JAF) and the SOFEX Directorate announced the upcoming hosting of the 15th edition of the Special Operations Forces Exhibition and Conference (SOFEX 2026), taking place from October 27 to 29, 2026, at the Aqaba International Exhibition & Convention Centre (AIECC).
Co-located with the Middle East Special Operations Leaders Conference (MESOC) on October 26, SOFEX 2026 marks 30 years since the event’s inception in 1996 under the patronage of His Majesty King Abdullah II. The 2026 iteration expects to convene over 400 exhibiting companies across 37 nations, hosting an estimated 25,000 defense delegates, international military leaders, and specialized visitors. Expanding beyond traditional special operations hardware—such as tactical vehicles, dismounted infantry gear, and small arms—the 2026 venue integrates dedicated exhibits focused on cybersecurity, command-and-control (C2) encryption, electronic warfare (EW), counter-unmanned aerial systems (C-UAS), and public-facing defense technology displays.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS: SOFEX 2026 EVENT ARCHITECTURE & FEATURED DOMAINS 
* Event Designation: 15th Special Operations Forces Exhibition and Conference (SOFEX 2026)
* Host Organizers: Jordanian Armed Forces (JAF) & SOFEX Jordan / Patronage of HM King Abdullah II
* Operational Schedule:
* October 26, 2026: Middle East Special Operations Leaders Conference (MESOC 2026)
* October 27–29, 2026: Main Defense Exhibition & Live Demonstrations
* Venue & Footprint: Aqaba International Exhibition & Convention Centre (AIECC), Aqaba, Jordan (~175,000 sq m total site footprint including indoor halls & outdoor live-fire/mobility zones)
* Core Exhibition Pillars:
* Special Operations & Counter-Terrorism: Tactical gear, night vision goggle (NVG) systems, sniper systems, and armor solutions (led by Jordan Design and Development Bureau – JODDB)
* Cybersecurity & Digital Defense Domain: Dedicated cyber-security pavilion featuring network defensive architecture, military-grade communications encryption, and EW resilience
* Unmanned Systems & Counter-UAS: Display of reconnaissance/kamikaze UAVs, Unmanned Ground Vehicles (UGVs), anti-drone jammer arrays, and AI-driven autonomous C2 software
* Live Air & Land Demonstrations: Integrated multi-domain live exercises showcasing joint special operations tactics, tactical insertion, and counter-ambush drills
* Projected Scale: 400+ international prime defense contractors and SMEs from 37 countries; 25,000+ specialized delegates; 100+ official international military delegations
TIMES OF DEFENCE ASSESSMENT:
The execution of SOFEX 2026 in Aqaba underscores Jordan’s pivotal role as a strategic hub for regional defense cooperation, military technology exchange, and special operations integration across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. By expanding the exhibition’s scope to incorporate dedicated cybersecurity, EW, and autonomous unmanned systems domains alongside traditional light infantry hardware, SOFEX reflects the shifting requirements of modern multi-domain hybrid warfare.
Furthermore, introducing public-facing components and cybersecurity zones aligns with broader regional initiatives to raise cyber-defense awareness while driving national defense-industrial development through entities like JODDB. Positioning SOFEX at the Red Sea port of Aqaba provides an operational backdrop for maritime, air, and land mobility demonstrations, enabling global defense primes and regional military forces to evaluate next-generation special operations hardware in realistic operational environments.
