Understanding Jordan’s armed-forces reforms

(Laith Alajlouni, Sascha Bruchmann – IISS) In late January 2026, King Abdullah II ibn Al Hussein of Jordan ordered the chairman of the joint chiefs of staff to draw up a cohesive plan to transform the armed forces over the next three years. The aim of this modernisation process is to create a military that is lean, efficient, technologically sophisticated and able to deal with the nature of ‘modern hybrid and untraditional wars’. The king sent a letter to the chairman of the joint chiefs of staff directing the military to maintain a competitive edge in cyber capabilities by integrating artificial intelligence (AI) into military operations, employing uninhabited systems, strengthening logistical support and enhancing the capabilities of Jordan’s defence industry. The modernisation process reflects Jordan’s mounting concerns regarding the growing threats posed by state and non-state actors, and underscores its interest in maintaining resilience by recalibrating its defensive posture. The country is likely to shift its resources away from traditional military activities towards high-tech, functions, with cyber capabilities, special forces, drones and AI replacing legacy military hardware and formations. Key constraints on this process, however, will be Jordan’s financial capacity as well as its ongoing commitments to regional and extra-regional partners. – Understanding Jordan’s armed-forces reforms