Amman, Jan. 25 (Petra) - Against the backdrop of accelerating regional and international transformations and shifting security and military threats, the royal directives of His Majesty King Abdullah II to restructure the Jordan Armed Forces–Arab Army have reaffirmed a proactive strategic approach aimed at consolidating the army’s position as Jordan’s foremost shield and first line of defense and ensuring its constant readiness to protect the homeland and safeguard its security and stability in a global environment marked by rapid technological advances and modern forms of conflict.

The comprehensive royal vision, based on a clear understanding of national security requirements and evolving operational environments, reflects a qualitative shift in the philosophy of building military power. It is founded on structural transformation, enhanced flexibility and qualitative capabilities, and the employment of advanced technologies in a manner that achieves strategic deterrence, strengthens integration between the armed forces and security agencies, and ensures sustained superiority and efficiency in confronting present and future challenges.

The royal vision includes a set of strategic objectives, most notably the deployment of modern defense technologies, strengthening superiority and competitiveness, prioritizing defensive and offensive cyber operations, and utilizing unmanned systems and artificial intelligence. It also focuses on maintaining sufficient, well-trained, and ready reserve forces; studying optimal ways to employ border guard units and the Public Security Directorate (PSD); enhancing logistical support systems; and redirecting the role of the Jordan Design and Development Bureau (JODDB) to serve as a nucleus for research and development.

Director General of the Economic and Social Association of Retired Servicemen and Veterans (ESARSV), retired Major General Adnan Al-Raqqad, told Petra that the King’s message to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff represents a comprehensive strategic directive that sets a clear framework for modernizing and developing the Jordan Armed Forces and security agencies in line with changing regional security challenges.

Al-Raqqad said the vision reflects a leadership-based military school that believes preparedness and continuous modernization are the true guarantees of national security and stability. He added that Jordan, under Hashemite leadership, has established a balanced security model combining firmness in border protection, wisdom in risk management, and professionalism in deploying capabilities, strengthening public trust and safeguarding the state’s supreme interests.

Former Assistant Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, retired Major General Hilal Al-Khawaldeh, said the King’s directives mark a pivotal milestone in Jordan’s modernization path and reveal a deep strategic vision grounded in a precise reading of rapidly evolving threats and contemporary conflict environments.

He noted that the emphasis on building agile, flexible, and qualitative forces reflects a transformation in military philosophy, as armies are no longer measured solely by numbers or heavy weaponry but by their ability to move swiftly. Modern wars, he said, are no longer defined by clear front lines but by hybrid conflicts extending into cyber, media, and technological domains.

He added that prioritizing cyberspace as a defensive and offensive domain signals a qualitative shift in the concept of national security, as protecting networks, data, and digital infrastructure has become as vital as protecting geographical borders.

He said redirecting JODDB toward advanced research, development, and defense manufacturing carries dual strategic significance, enhancing national independence and reducing reliance on external sources.

Head of the Retirees’ Forum in Jerash Governorate, retired Major General Hassan Al-Qiyam, said the royal directives serve Jordan’s defense policy, as the armed forces represent the cornerstone of national security and the state’s main safeguard against all threats and challenges, and aim to entrench a highly professional, well-prepared military capable of performing its duties under all circumstances.

He said the strategic vision seeks to preserve the armed forces’ superiority and comprehensive deterrence so they remain as envisioned by the King a powerful national force and a solid sovereign institution capable of protecting Jordan’s security, sovereignty, and achievements and fulfilling their sacred duty toward the homeland and Hashemite leadership.

Former PSD Assistant Director, retired Major General Samir Bino, said the regional and international landscape is undergoing a highly complex and volatile phase marked by high uncertainty and unclear future directions and sometimes contradictory policies resulting from an ambiguous and intertwined strategic environment.

He said that in this context, the King’s directives to restructure the armed forces are a natural and consistent response to rapid regional and international changes, which require internal adaptation across national institutions.

He added that despite the high level of development and efficiency achieved by the armed forces and security agencies, restructuring reflects a proactive approach aimed at future preparedness, based on anticipation rather than reaction, ensuring full readiness for any forthcoming challenges.

On reserves, Bino said the King has emphasized their role as a fundamental support pillar of the armed forces, noting that they have always been described by His Majesty as "brothers-in-arms," whose role extends into the present and future through accumulated expertise and continued contributions across various fields.

Former Director of Moral Guidance, retired Brigadier General Mamdouh Al-Ameri, said the royal message to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff constitutes a sovereign guiding document with strategic dimensions, signaling a carefully planned transition in the philosophy of building national military power.
He said the message goes beyond traditional modernization to establish the concept of structural transformation as a necessary response to fast-changing regional and international threat environments and their new demands on modern armies.

Al-Ameri stressed that the message gives special importance to cyber operations, artificial intelligence, unmanned systems, and secure command, control, and communications systems as sovereign enablers that compensate for limitations in size and resources and build sustainable relative superiority.

He added that it also emphasizes institutional integration between the armed forces and security agencies, recognizing that modern threats transcend traditional boundaries between internal and external security.

In this context, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Major General Yousef Huneiti, in his response to the royal directives, reaffirmed the armed forces’ commitment to implementation and to preparing a three-year strategy and roadmap for structural transformation.

He said the armed forces will continue modernization, enhance readiness and efficiency, keep pace with modern warfare methods and technological and artificial intelligence developments, activate research and development, and restructure investment funds and companies in line with the highest standards.

//Petra// AF

25/01/2026 23:46:17