The Jordanian Armed Forces (JAF), known historically as the Arab Army, are the military forces of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. The king serves as commander-in-chief, and the armed forces are among the most respected institutions in the country, admired for their professionalism and stability.
The JAF comprise the army, the air force, the navy and special operations forces, together with supporting services such as the Royal Medical Services. Jordan's special forces are internationally recognised and train regularly with allied militaries, especially those of the United States and the United Kingdom.
Jordanian troops have served in United Nations peacekeeping missions and in coalition operations in the region, and the kingdom hosts one of the world's largest refugee populations in part because its military and security forces keep the borders stable. The Jordan Design and Development Bureau, founded in 1999, supplies the armed forces and has built a respected defence industry. Conscription is not in force; the military is a professional volunteer force, and service is seen as a mark of national pride.