At a time of accelerating regional developments and shifting patterns of conflict and warfare, Jordan’s King Abdullah II has announced the launch of what he described as a “structural transformation” through the restructuring of the Jordanian Armed Forces.
The royal message addressed to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff on Friday, 24 January, went beyond routine protocol. It amounted to a declaration of a new military architecture that aims to move the Jordanian army away from traditional combat models toward advanced technological professionalism, while strengthening strategic deterrence and protecting Jordan’s vital interests within a complex and rapidly changing threat environment.
The message outlined a comprehensive restructuring plan to be implemented over three years. This includes the development of cyber operations, defence industries, and the establishment of an effective, reliable, secure, and advanced command and control system capable of keeping pace with qualitative shifts in modern warfare.
A Structural Transformation
Following the royal directive, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Major General Yousef Huneiti affirmed, according to the Jordan News Agency, the armed forces’ commitment to implementing the king’s instructions through an integrated strategy and a clear roadmap aimed at achieving a comprehensive structural transformation within three years.
Huneiti highlighted three central pillars. These include enhancing technological capabilities to keep pace with modern combat methods, technological developments, and artificial intelligence systems; raising combat readiness across all branches of the armed forces while activating the role of military research and development centres and restructuring military investment departments and funds according to the highest professional standards; and reaffirming commitment to national duty in a manner that reflects a deep understanding of rapid changes and overlapping regional and international challenges, in service of national and public interests.
Sixth Generation Doctrine
Observers say this transformation reflects an official recognition that threats are no longer conventional and that Jordan’s geopolitical position places it at the centre of regional conflict spillovers. The royal message did not stop at diagnosing the situation but moved directly to solutions through comprehensive restructuring, development of reserve forces, and the construction of a command and control system capable of operating across complex environments that extend from the battlefield into cyberspace.
Retired Colonel and military strategist Nidal Abu Zaid described the message as signalling a clear transition from traditional doctrines to what is known as the “sixth generation doctrine”, which has become dominant among modern armies worldwide.
Speaking to Al Jazeera Net, Abu Zaid explained that threats are no longer fixed or clearly defined, but fluid and evolving, making continuous development a necessity rather than a choice. He added that the transformation aligns with modern warfare principles that rely on so called Pickup operations, which focus on precise intelligence and highly specialised, high accuracy efforts, supported by elite forces and air power, instead of classical operations based on mass deployment of heavy formations.
Regarding timing, Abu Zaid said Jordan’s direction cannot be separated from global trends in military development, noting that it coincides with doctrinal evolution within the US military and NATO forces in response to qualitative changes in warfare.
He added that the royal emphasis on simplicity and effectiveness in protecting strategic and operational centres of gravity reflects a desire to integrate modern readiness standards and move away from rigid traditional doctrines, in line with complex regional and international challenges.
For his part, retired Major General Dr Mahmoud Ardeisat said the royal directives represent a natural course given the rapid advances in the use of sophisticated weapons and artificial intelligence technologies on the battlefield.
Speaking to Al Jazeera Net, Ardeisat explained that modern warfare compels armies to adapt, particularly in the use of drones, addressing cyber threats, and building advanced technological capabilities. He stressed that any army that fails to develop its tools and capacities will eventually find itself unable to cope with emerging realities.
He added that the royal message takes into account the full scope of changes in warfare and military technology and seeks to develop the Jordanian army’s capabilities to ensure long term readiness and effective response.
Ardeisat also linked the restructuring to national service and the creation of a strategic reserve, as referenced by the king, expressing hope that these steps would establish a reserve force capable of supporting the armed forces under all circumstances.
Responding to questions about the regional context, Ardeisat noted that Jordan operates within a highly complex and threat laden security environment. He pointed to Israel’s actions in the region as well known and indiscriminate, stressing the need for surrounding states to remain in a constant state of readiness amid what he described as a dangerous regional landscape.
A National Moment
Former Jordanian deputy prime minister Dr Mamdouh al Abbadi described the royal message as a genuine turning point in the state’s overall posture. In comments to Al Jazeera Net, he said the development extends beyond military reform to encompass a broader reordering of the national position.
Al Abbadi argued that the message reflects an understanding that the Israeli occupation is working relentlessly to depopulate Palestinian land and push Palestinians toward Jordan, making political, military, and societal preparedness essential.
He added that the royal directive to strengthen reserves and link the civilian sector to the defence system, including reinstating compulsory military service, reflects a philosophy of self reliance and sends a clear message to the Arab world that Jordan treats its existential challenges with full seriousness.
“Our issue today is the survival of the nation and the future of generations in the face of a Zionist enemy that represents the real threat to us,” he said.
Strengthening Readiness
In his message to the army commander, carried by the official Jordan News Agency, the king called for the armed forces to possess the ability to protect strategic and operational centres of gravity, employ modern defence technologies, and ensure sufficient reserve forces to strengthen the national security and defence system.
These directives come after the Jordanian parliament approved, by majority vote on 7 November last year, amendments to the National Service and Reserve Service Law for 2025, reinstating the compulsory national service programme that had been suspended since 1991.
Under the revised law, around 6,000 young men born in 2007 who have reached the age of eighteen are set to join the 54th intake on 1 February, as part of the reactivation of mandatory military service. Previously, every Jordanian male aged eighteen was required to serve for two years, with exemptions for health reasons or sole family providers.
These steps also come amid rising regional concerns following statements by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is wanted by the International Criminal Court on charges of war crimes in Gaza. In August, Netanyahu spoke of what he called “Greater Israel”, a vision viewed by Amman as a direct threat to Jordan’s security and sovereignty, as it rests on expansionist concepts that include Arab territories in Jordan, Egypt, Lebanon, and Syria.
