"SOFEX has always served as a trusted platform connecting governments, armed forces, industry leaders, and innovators from around the world. As defense and security priorities continue to evolve, international collaboration has become more important than ever," said Maj. Gen. (Ret.) Eng. Ayman Ahmad Al Batran, Chairman of the Board of “SOFEX” Jordan.
Dates, venue, and official standing
SOFEX Jordan has completed preparations for the 15th edition of the Special Operations Forces Exhibition and Conference, scheduled for 27–29 October 2026 at the Aqaba International Exhibition Center (AIEC). The event is being held under the Royal Patronage of His Majesty King Abdullah II. SOFEX's management described the exhibition as having evolved into one of the world’s leading platforms for collaboration, innovation, and strategic dialogue across the global defense and security sectors, and said it remains the only exhibition and conference in the Middle East and North Africa dedicated exclusively to special operations forces and homeland security.
Attendance targets and international reach
Organizers expect more than 25,000 specialized visitors for the 2026 edition, alongside over 450 official delegates representing more than 70 countries and more than 400 exhibitors from 37 countries. The event will include first-time participation from Slovakia, Australia, and Norway. The 2026 figures build on the exhibition’s previous performance, which drew over 11,000 specialized visitors and more than 400 official delegates representing 73 countries in its last iteration.
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End the scrambleProgramme changes: public access, MESOC, and cybersecurity focus
For the first time, SOFEX 2026 will open its doors to members of the public, allowing non-military visitors to experience what the organizers described as one of the region’s most influential defense and security events. The Middle East Special Operations Commanders Conference (MESOC), previously reserved for military attendees, will take place on 26 October and is being made available to ticket holders. Organizers also highlighted an expanded focus on emerging defense technologies and dedicated spaces for critical domains such as cybersecurity, in addition to enhanced networking platforms and increased exhibition space to accommodate growing international participation.
Jordan and Aqaba: logistics hub and regional platform
SOFEX's management framed the exhibition as contributing to the positioning of Aqaba as a leading logistics hub and an integrated global destination. Maj. Gen. (Ret.) Eng. Ayman Ahmad Al Batran emphasized that the 15th edition reflects a commitment to fostering strategic partnerships, advancing dialogue, and showcasing technologies and capabilities that will shape the future of global security, while reinforcing Jordan’s role as a regional hub for cooperation, innovation, and constructive engagement across the defense and security sectors.
What this means for governments, exhibitors, and the public
- Governments and official delegations: More than 450 official delegates from over 70 countries are expected to attend, offering government and military representatives an expanded forum for bilateral and multilateral engagement at MESOC and across the exhibition footprint.
- Exhibitors and technology providers: With more than 400 exhibitors from 37 countries and additional exhibition space, vendors gain broader opportunities to showcase emerging defense technologies and to participate in dedicated cybersecurity displays and enhanced networking platforms.
- Members of the public: For the first time, civilians will be able to attend SOFEX 2026, creating a new avenue for public exposure to the technologies and conversations that have previously been confined largely to military and industry audiences.
SOFEX 2026 will therefore serve as both a continuity of a specialized defense forum and a test of new formats — wider exhibition space, an expanded cybersecurity emphasis, and public access — that organizers say will deepen international collaboration and raise Aqaba’s profile as a logistics and engagement hub. The event opens on 27 October, with MESOC convening a day earlier on 26 October for ticket holders.
