SOFEX WAS SO-SO
EXPERIENCING THE MILITARY-INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX'S TRADE SHOW
The Dillon Aero M134D Gatling Gun, a "six-barreled, electrically driven machine gun chambered in 7.62mm NATO that fires at a fixed rate of 3,000 shots per minute." It was one of countless killing machines featured at SOFEX. Photo courtesy of Dillon Aero.
The Ultimate Warrior Competition is sponsored by KASOTC, a "counterterrorism training facility" in Jordan founded by King Abdullah.
Just like at any other trade show, product demonstrations and live tests are the norm at SOFEX. This helicopter-rapelling demonstration was part of King Abullah's "show of force," a smorgasbord of special-ops exercises that preceded the sales portion of the conference.
Lt. Colonel Jafar S. Al-Droubi and Shane.
The Jordanian soldiers were very much open to photo ops.
Much of the equipment was subtly designed and tastefully displayed, but this missile resembled something out of a Bond movie.
Shane at the helm of Boeing's Avenger Air Defense Turret. It is the Honda Civic of automated anti-air systems: cheap, lightweight, and reliable.
Heckler & Koch, a German company, sells guns like the G36, bigger guns like the MG4, and grenade launchers that conveniently attach to the aforementioned weapons. Their displays seemed to be inspired by Foot Locker.
