Page 4 - SOFEX 2022 - Day 2

MESOC LAYS
STRESS ON DEFENSE

INDUSTRY GROWTH

The Middle East Special Operations
Commanders Conference (MESOC) dis-
cussed the rapid advances in the defense
and aerospace industry.

MESOC was attended by senior officers of
the Jordan Armed Forces-Arab Army (JAF)
and military representatives from several
countries in the region and beyond, as
well as officials and decision-makers from
around the world.

The one-day conference, hosted by the Yousef Ahmed Al-Hunaiti, and a number of Abdullah, SOFEX-22 is the 13th iteration
JAF, was the official opening event of the senior officers of JAF. of this exhibition, and has been a biennial
13th edition of Special Operations Forces event since its conception. More than 300
Exhibition and Conference (SOFEX). Brigadier General, Ayman Ahmad Al-Batran, international firms, including 28 US compa-
CEO of the Jordan Design and Development nies, are taking part in this edition of the
The sessions at the conference focused Bureau lauded SOFEX in his remarks. He exhibition. Deputy CEO of SOFEX Ahmed Al
on unifying counterterrorism concepts and said that SOFEX “provides a platform for Taweel said choosing Aqaba to host SOFEX
exchanging tactical know-how, in accor- decision-makers, and military leaders and
dance with international security strategies officials to exchange practical and theoret- 2022 was intended to generate an invest-
and expanding cooperation within the ical expertise to transform opportunities ment environment welcoming new trends,
global special operations community. into real partnerships to neutralize future increasing defense industry ventures and
threats,” Petra quoted him as saying. stimulating tourism by attracting some
The conference was attended by Chairman 3,000 foreign visitors and 5,000 locals to
of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Major General Founded in 1996 by His Majesty King the exhibition.

HUGE INTEREST IN BARRETT MK22 SNIPERS

Barrett Firearms Manufacturing is adjustable length of pull and cheek piece, “We are pleased to have passed all prelim-
show-casing its precision weapons as it M-LOK attachment system, 10 mil rail, and inary program requirements and to now
strives to strengthen its presence in the suppressor capable muzzle brake, a com- begin delivery of the MK22 rifle system to
Middle East and countries in North Africa. pany official said. the Army soldiers.” said Joel Miller, Barrett’s
Vice President of Sales and Marketing.
The U.S. Army recently awarded a US$49.9
The Multi-role Adaptive Design (MRAD) million five-year contract to Barrett Firearms The PSR program will allow the Army
MK22 is evoking considerable interest from Manufacturing to acquire the MK22 MRAD an extreme range weapon systems that
the visiting delegations. The sniper rifle rifle as the Army’s new sniper is lighter than current sniper rifles and
is being highlighted following the recent weapon system. includes features that will mask the sniper
U.S. acquisition of the weapon to signature for improved survivability.
replace several currently fielded
sniper rifles within its military. The United States Special Operations
The Army will procure
The MK22 defines a new class of long- approxi- mately 2,800 MK22 Command (USSOCOM or SOCOM)
range rifles by providing even greater rifles from Barrett, the current maker of had previously awarded a contract to
capability within the MRAD rifle platform. the Army’s M107 .50 Caliber Long Range Barrett to purchase the MRAD as part of
The multi-caliber bolt-action sniper rifle Sniper Rifle. their Advanced Sniper Rifle (ASR) program.
converts between 7.62x51mm, .300 Norma
Magnum and .338 Norma Magnum cham- The MK22 is part of the Army’s Precision The Mk22 will replace all legacy M40A6 and
berings. It enables operators to easily fit Sniper Rifle (PSR) Program, which also Mk13 Mod 7 rifles, reducing the sniper rifle
their caliber/round to mission. With unfail- includes the Leupold & Stevens (Beaverton, inventory from four to three, said Infantry
ing precision and Sub-MOA performance, OR) Mark 5 HD scope and a sniper acces- Weapons Program Manager Nick Berger.
this sniper rifle adapts to a variety of user sory kit. The option provided by the Mk22 to switch
needs by converting between 7.62 x 51mm, Army snipers will be able to conduct a barrels will give Marines the ability to con-
300 NM and 338 NM calibers. The alumi- barrel change and select calibers based figure the rifle to fire either the .338 Norma
num chassis features a folding stock with on their mission operating environment. Magnum or .300 NM caliber rounds.
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