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Middle EastTrade shows & exhibitions

27–29 Oct 2026

SOFEX Jordan 2026

Aqaba International Exhibition & Convention Centre (AIECC) · Aqaba, Jordan

Dates
Tue, 27 October 2026 – Thu, 29 October 2026
Venue
Aqaba International Exhibition & Convention Centre (AIECC)
Location
Aqaba, Jordan
Organizer
Jordanian Armed Forces / SOFEX Jordan
Cost
paid
Scale
major
Recurrence
biennial
Format
On-site

Market intel

Moderate pricingmedium confidence

SOFEX is the world's largest dedicated SOF and homeland-security exhibition, drawing ~300 companies and over 400 official delegations from 70+ countries in its most recent (2024) edition.

  • The 2024 show was notably impacted by regional tensions, with some Western primes scaling back, while Turkish and Chinese exhibitors maintained a strong presence.
  • The 2026 edition is targeting a record exhibitor count with an enlarged venue footprint and new thematic zones.
Notable exhibitors
BAE SystemsThalesBaykar (Bayraktar drones)AM GeneralAvon ProtectionBarrett FirearmsJordan Design and Development Bureau (JODDB)Hytera

AI-researched Mon, 24 August 2026. Estimates from public sources. Verify with the organizer.

Why it matters

SOFEX is the only dedicated SOF and homeland-security exhibition in the Middle East and North Africa, making it the primary gateway for defence suppliers seeking access to Arab and broader MENA procurement communities.

  • Delegations are headed by Ministers of Defence, Chiefs of Staff, and Special Operations Commanders, meaning exhibitors engage directly with senior decision-makers and procurement directorates rather than intermediaries.
  • For SMEs and startups, the new Elite Badge tier and digital matchmaking programme lower the barrier to securing pre-arranged meetings with high-value buyers.

About

SOFEX (Special Operations Forces Exhibition and Conference) is the world's largest dedicated biennial exhibition and conference for special operations forces equipment, homeland security, and related defence technologies.

  • Held under the patronage of His Majesty King Abdullah II and organised by the Jordanian Armed Forces, the 2026 edition runs 27–29 October at the Aqaba International Exhibition & Convention Centre, preceded on 26 October by the MESOC (Middle East Special Operations Commanders Conference).
  • The event brings together defence prime contractors, specialist SOF equipment suppliers, cybersecurity firms, UAS and counter-UAS manufacturers, and official military delegations from across the globe.
  • New features for 2026 include a dedicated Cybersecurity Zone, a VR Solutions Zone, a digital matchmaking programme, and an expanded venue footprint.

Topics

Soldier SystemsUAS / DronesC-UASCyberISR & Sensors

Who it's for

PrimesSMEsStartupsInstitutions

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