Shaheen drone unveiled at SOFEX 2024

Footage of the Jordanian-made "Shaheen" drone was revealed during the SOFEX 2024 defense exhibition in Aqaba on Tuesday.

The drone was first showcased during King Abdullah II's silver jubilee celebrations, drawing significant attention when it appeared on a truck during a military parade.

- Jordan's first indigenous drone -

The Shaheen drone is the first of its kind to be fully developed and manufactured in Jordan, marking a significant achievement for the country.

Military experts praised it as a strategic asset that highlights Jordan's growing capability in international defense markets and the engineering prowess of its people.

The drone is a versatile drone designed for intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, and attack missions, according to the manufacturer.

It features laser-guided missiles for precise targeting, artillery fire correction, and laser-guided targeting in electronic warfare scenarios.

- Key features -

Combat Radius: 250 km
Maximum payload: Approximately 1 ton
Altitude: Up to 8,000m
Flight duration: 8-24 hours
Speed: 160-220km/h

The drone can operate in extreme weather conditions, with an operational temperature range of -40°C to +55°C. It is capable of carrying munitions to target multiple objectives simultaneously using advanced artificial intelligence.

The drone is equipped with the “Raad”, which translates to “thunder”, guided missile in two variants:
- Raad 1: Range of 18km, diameter 15.2cm, length 180cm, weight 45kg, with armor penetration capability up to 1,400mm of steel. Guided by GNSS/INS or semi-active laser systems.
- Raad 2: Diameter 11cm, length 130cm, weight 18kg, range of 11km, guided by INS/GPS and semi-active laser systems. Capable of penetrating up to 150mm of armor.

- SOFEX 2024 exhibition -

His Majesty King Abdullah II arrived at the SOFEX 2024 exhibition on Tuesday, held at the Aqaba International Exhibition & Convention Centre (AIECC).

He was welcomed by His Royal Highness Prince Hussein bin Abdullah II and Major General Yousef Ahmed Al-Hunaiti, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

SOFEX 2024, a major event focusing on defense industries and special operations equipment, features participation from 400 official delegations and 300 exhibiting companies from Jordan and abroad.

The exhibition also includes representatives from 73 countries, highlighting major global manufacturers of weapons and defense technology.

The event showcases a wide array of equipment, including light and medium weapons, offensive and reconnaissance drones, and the latest defense technologies used by military and security forces.

On Monday, His Royal Highness Prince Faisal bin Hussein officially launched the Middle East Special Operations Commanders Conference (MESOC) in Aqaba.

The conference was attended by Major General Hunaiti, Director of Public Security Directorate (PSD) Major General Obaidullah Al-Maaytah, and senior officers from the Jordanian Armed Forces - Arab Army (JAF), security agencies, and several allied nations.

MESOC is being held against the backdrop of rapid advancements in defense and security technology.

The conference aims to discuss the latest strategies and technologies impacting defense and security, while also exploring the most effective strategies for addressing future challenges.

As the official event of SOFEX 2024, MESOC provides a platform for senior special operations officers and high-level experts from various countries to present detailed analyses and engage in comprehensive discussions on current and future challenges.