The UAE National Pavilion is set to participate in the 14th edition of the Special Operations Forces Exhibition and Conference (SOFEX) 2024, scheduled to take place from September 3rd to 5th at the Aqaba International Exhibitions and Conferences Centre in Jordan.
SOFEX, one of the region’s most prominent defence events, will host over 300 international defence and security companies from 38 countries. The exhibition serves as a vital platform for showcasing cutting-edge products and solutions, bringing together key stakeholders, and promoting international cooperation in special operations and homeland security.
Supported by the UAE Ministry of Defence and Tawazun Council, and organized by the Emirates Defence Companies Council (EDCC), the UAE’s National Pavilion will feature leading national companies such as EDGE Group, Al Seer Marine Supplies and Equipment Company, and Houbara Defence and Security. Capital Events will also be present to promote the upcoming International Defence Exhibition (IDEX) and Naval Defence & Maritime Security Exhibition (NAVDEX) 2025, alongside Al Jundi Journal, a military and cultural magazine published by the Ministry of Defence.
The UAE Pavilion will provide an interactive platform for visitors to explore the country’s advancements in defence and security industries, showcasing a wide range of innovative solutions covering various aspects of special operations, from advanced systems and components to state-of-the-art technologies.
The UAE’s participation in SOFEX 2024 underscores the strong ties between the UAE and Jordan and reaffirms the importance of regional cooperation in defence and security sectors.
Anas Naser Al Otaiba, General Manager of EDCC, emphasized the significance of the UAE’s involvement in SOFEX 2024, stating, “Our participation reflects the UAE’s deep commitment to innovation and international cooperation in the defence and security industries. We are proud to showcase advanced national technologies aligned with our leadership’s vision to enhance our capabilities and strengthen the UAE’s defence and security sectors.”
Al Otaiba further highlighted that the UAE’s participation goes beyond product displays and marketing; it aims to forge strategic partnerships with leading global companies in the defence sector, promote international cooperation, and facilitate the exchange of expertise and knowledge.
“SOFEX provides a strategic opportunity to showcase Emirati technological capabilities to experts, specialists, and decision-makers in the defence industry. We believe our participation will reinforce the UAE’s position as a regional hub for defence manufacturing and open new avenues for collaboration with international partners,” he added.
Hervé Dechoux, Head of Solutions at Houbara, expressed enthusiasm about the company’s first participation at SOFEX with EDCC, saying, “We are eager to explore new opportunities in the region to expand our customer base for modern threat representation, secure SATCOM, and robotics. We look forward to connecting with the regional SOF community and showcasing our breakthrough secure SATCOM solution, BRACER, as well as our advanced field robotics solutions.”
SOFEX, first held in 1996, has established itself as a key platform for exchanging ideas, technologies, and strategies among defence professionals. The exhibition offers an ideal opportunity for networking and enhancing global security, bringing together leading experts, manufacturers, and suppliers from the global defence industry to engage with official government delegations and decision-makers from around the world.
