His Majesty King Abdullah II Tuesday inaugurated the 2018 Special Operations Forces Exhibition SOFEX on its twelfth edition, which focuses on defense industries and national security.

Upon arriving at the King Abdullah I Air Base in Amman for the opening ceremony, the Supreme Commander, accompanied by HRH Crown Prince Hussein, was received by HRH Prince Faisal Ibn Al Hussein and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Lt. General Mahmoud Freihat. His Majesty was also greeted by a guard of honor as a military band played the national anthem, Petra news agency reported.

“It is of great pride that SOFEX remains an effective platform for special operations and national security, which proves itself as a standard for evaluating international events,” said SOFEX Director Amer Al Tabaa.

“Defense and security are two vital issues for all world nations, and thus we spare no effort to ensure our armed forces are equipped with cutting-edge technology,” added Al Tabaa.

This fair, he pointed out, comes to provide a distinguished hub to impart knowledge and keep pace with challenges and rapid events.

The niche four-day event brings together more than 350 companies of all sizes from 35 Arab and foreign countries to showcase their state-of-the-art innovations.

King Abdullah and the Crown Prince watched an exercise of paratrooper landings and cordoning off an area, which was carried out by the Rapid Response Unit with backing from F-16 fighter jets to simulate an evacuation of hostages from a terrorist group.

Royal Jordanian Air Force aircraft carrying the flags of the Jordanian army and SOFEX hovered above the area.

The King and the Crown Prince also toured the fair, which comprised local, regional and international companies, and listened to a briefing by representatives on their industries. 

They also stopped at Jordan’s pavilion at the exhibition, which showcases weapons and sophisticated equipment used in various defense and rescue operations.

Furthermore, His Majesty and the Crown Prince toured the King Abdullah II Design and Development Bureau (KADDB) and were briefed on machinery manufactured by the bureau, as well as research projects which KADDB implements jointly with universities.

They also toured the pavilions of key local and international companies and checked first-hand on their products in the field of manufacturing industrial equipment.

On the sidelines of SOFEX, His Majesty King Abdullah II met with Indonesian Defense Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu and Greek Defense Minister Panos Kammenos on the sidelines of the12th Special Operations Forces Exhibition (SOFEX) 2018, and discussed with them ways of enhancing military and defense ties, as well as regional and international efforts to fight terrorism within a holistic approach.

His Majesty also held a series of meetings, in the presence of HRH Prince Faisal bin Al Hussein, with military and security leaders from Germany, the USA and Indonesia, as well as economic leaders representing a number of major defense and military companies participating in SOFEX.

During the meetings, opportunities to build economic and military partnerships among countries were discussed.

The military and security leaders commended the advanced level and professionalism of the Jordanian armed forces at different levels, stressing the importance of SOFEX in providing an opportunity to exchange expertise in various security and military areas.

The meetings were attended by the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the King's Advisor and Director of His Majesty’s Office.