Why Is Jordan Seeking New American Support?

In response to the risks facing its borders with neighboring Syria, Jordan is leaning toward enhancing its defense cooperation with its American ally in the hope of securing further arms and equipment.

The Jordanian military heavily relies on its American counterpart for armaments, as well as continuous training and qualification support spanning nearly seven decades.

In light of this, King Abdullah II of Jordan received General Mark Milley, the Chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, in the capital, Amman, on August 23, 2023, for discussions aimed at strengthening the defense partnership between the United States and Jordan.

The meeting explored avenues to advance cooperation between Jordan and the United States in the realm of defense, as reported by the Jordan News Agency (Petra). The discussion also delved into international efforts to combat terrorism within a comprehensive approach.

 

Enhancing Defense

In an interview with the Jordanian channel Al-Mamlaka, aired on August 25, General Milley stated that Jordan is one of the United States' best friends in the Middle East, and the Jordanian-American military relations are exceptionally close.

He emphasized that the Jordanian Armed Forces are highly professional, with the U.S. military providing training, consultations, and military equipment to the Jordanian Armed Forces.

General Milley affirmed that the Middle East region is of utmost importance to the United States, and it is inconceivable for the United States to ever abandon the Middle East.

The American general noted that the number of U.S. military forces in the region fluctuates based on the magnitude of the threat, explaining that the ideology of the Islamic State and its adherents has not been eradicated, and there are still terrorists roaming the deserts of Syria and to some extent Iraq, which poses a threat to Jordan.

General Milley's arrival in the Jordanian capital coincided with the conclusion of joint naval exercises between the U.S. Fifth Fleet stationed in Bahrain and the Jordanian Armed Forces off the coast of Aqaba.

According to officials in Jordan, as reported by Reuters, during General Mark Milley's visit, the issue of obtaining further American support for Jordan's efforts to combat drug smuggling by Iranian groups and units associated with the Syrian regime was raised.

In an interview with Al-Mamlaka channel, General Milley affirmed that Washington is closely working with Jordan to provide equipment, training, and consultations to address the ongoing threat of drug trafficking.

Jordanian officials emphasize that negotiations with Syrian regime officials regarding countering Iranian smuggling networks face obstacles due to the regime's inability to exert control over the chaotic southern region.

Jordan, which has intensified its military exercises along the Syrian border, announced the interception of a major smuggling operation in mid-August 2023, marking the latest of its kind and refuting Damascus's claims of tightened border control.

It is worth noting that the U.S. Secretary of Defense, Lloyd Austin, visited Jordan on March 5, 2023, and met with American soldiers at a Jordanian military base.

The visit aimed to reassure Washington's allies and friends of its commitment to the security and stability of their countries against any new threats.

 

Jordan's Concerns

The extensive drug smuggling operations that involve the use of drones have prompted the Kingdom's military to intensify its efforts and explore new military methods to counter them.

Naturally, the United States stands as one of Jordan's prominent military supporters, maintaining a long history of military cooperation with the Kingdom.

Jordan has received a fleet of F-22 stealth fighter jets deployed by the U.S. Department of Defense in 2023 to counter Russian aerial superiority in neighboring Syria.

Following the NATO summit in July 2023, the military alliance led by the United States announced plans to establish its first Bureau in the Arab world in Jordan.

The Hashemite Kingdom has been engaged in military security cooperation with the United States for seven decades, during which Jordan received various forms of support, especially financial and logistical, for its armed forces.

The United States has allocated $425 million annually to the Jordanian Armed Forces from 2018 to 2022, in addition to granting aircraft and various military equipment to the Kingdom, as well as conducting joint military exercises.

According to the U.S. Embassy in Jordan, the United States has been committed to the prosperity and stability of all Jordanians for 70 years.

Since 1951, the United States has provided more than $20 billion in aid to Jordan.

Members of the Jordanian and American armies train side by side to hone the necessary combat skills to combat terrorism and ensure Jordan's security and stability, according to the embassy.

Since 1987, the U.S. government's Counterterrorism Assistance Program has trained over 7,150 Jordanian police officers.

Jordan participates in the U.S.-led coalition to combat ISIS in Syria and Iraq.

Since 2020, the Jordanian army has deployed all its forces to thwart drug smuggling operations on the Syrian border.

It has affirmed that its armed forces will deal with any infiltration or smuggling attempt to protect the borders and prevent anyone from jeopardizing national security.

The Jordanian Ministry of Interior states that 95% of the drugs seized are intended for smuggling abroad, mainly to the Gulf and other destinations.

However, in recent times, smugglers have increasingly used drones in drug transportation into Jordan, opening a new battlefront for the Jordanian army known as the Drone War.

 

Warehousing Facilities

According to Stars and Stripes, a U.S. military news website, in July 2021, the United States transported equipment and weapons to advanced supply points in the Middle East, including Jordan.

These supply points include warehouses for storing tanks, armored personnel carriers, and various equipment.

This move, according to the website, positions Washington better to address threats from Iran and reflects the evolving priorities of the U.S. military in the region.

It also aims to reduce missile attacks from Iran-backed factions and prevent a recurrence of the scenario where the Ain al-Assad U.S. airbase in Iraq's Anbar province, located 180 kilometers west of Baghdad, was targeted in March 2021.

In 2014, over 6,000 U.S. troops arrived in Jordan to participate in a military exercise known as "Eager Lion," designed to demonstrate U.S. commitment to the region. Participants trained with soldiers from 20 countries, focusing on a range of skills, from counterinsurgency to counterterrorism operations and cybersecurity.

In 2013, the U.S. Department of Defense deployed 900 American personnel to Jordan for training and deterrence as the conflict in neighboring Syria escalated. This deployment included a battery of Patriot missiles, a squadron of F-16 aircraft, and experts in chemical weapons to train Jordanians in defense against any potential attacks.

According to the U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency, in February 2022, the U.S. State Department approved a potential sale of military equipment to Jordan valued at $4.2 billion.

This sale includes a request to purchase 12 F-16C Block 70 fighter aircraft, 4 F-16D Block 70 aircraft, F100-GE-129D engines, Improved Programmable Display Generators (iPDG) for fighter aircraft, specialized computer systems for F-16 aircraft, and geographic location systems.

This deal enhances Jordan's ability to address current and future challenges by ensuring continued cooperation with the United States and coalition forces. These aircraft will modernize Jordan's fighter aircraft fleet and support regional objectives by countering armed extremist organizations.