The Marrakech Airshow 2026, now in its 8th edition, kicked off on October 7 at the Royal Moroccan Air Force Base in Marrakech. The event has drawn an impressive lineup of defense and aerospace companies, with 200 exhibitors from 27 countries in attendance. The United Arab Emirates is serving as the strategic partner for this edition. Organizers report that more than 250 high-level civil and military delegations are expected to attend. The exhibition space was fully sold out before the event began.
This year's Marrakech Airshow is notable for the convergence of industries that rarely share the same platform. Companies from the United States, China, France, Israel, Turkey, India, Korea, and the United Arab Emirates are all present. Notable exhibitors include Lockheed Martin, Boeing, RTX, Northrop Grumman, and L3Harris from the United States. China's CATIC and China Xinxing Xiamen, Turkey's Baykar, South Korea's Korea Aerospace Industries, and India's Tata Advanced Systems are also participating.
The Israeli presence at the airshow is drawing significant attention. Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) is making its first official appearance, showcasing the LORA precision-strike system, the Heron MK II drone, and communications satellites. Elbit Systems is also participating for the first time, displaying the Hermes 900 drone, the PULS rocket-artillery system, and the SkyStriker loitering munition. Moroccan acquisition of several of these systems has not been officially confirmed.
The United Arab Emirates, as the strategic partner, occupies two pavilion spaces backed by its Ministry of Defence and the Tawazun Council. EDGE is presenting surveillance, counter-drone, and loitering-munition systems. India's role expanded on the opening day, with MKU announcing plans to build an electro-optics and armor plant in the SGZID zone in Nouasser. The plant is intended as an export base for Africa and Europe.
The airshow also features a significant civil aviation component. Boeing released an Africa forecast projecting passenger traffic growth of 5.8% a year through 2045 and a continental fleet rising from 755 aircraft in 2025 to 1,625 in 2045. The company values Africa's aviation-services market at $140 billion over two decades and estimates the continent will need 75,000 new aviation professionals.
Behind the exhibits lies Morocco's drive to move from being a buyer of foreign arms to a producer. The sector now counts more than 150 companies and around 26,000 skilled jobs, with local integration above 40%. Aerospace exports reached MAD 29.087 billion ($2.9 billion) in 2025, up about 10% from MAD 26.446 billion ($2.6 billion) a year earlier.
The conference program reflects the industry's direction, with topics such as manned-unmanned teaming, autonomous swarms, and investing in Morocco. Deals from the 2024 edition have advanced, including Trelleborg's opening of a sealing-systems plant at Midparc in June. The plant represents an investment of nearly MAD 130 million ($13 million) and will eventually create 150 to 200 jobs.
Key points
- Morocco aims to boost its defense industry, with a focus on industrial sovereignty and resilient supply chains.
- The Marrakech Airshow 2026 features a diverse lineup of exhibitors from 27 countries, showcasing cutting-edge defense and aerospace technologies.
- Morocco's aerospace exports reached MAD 29.087 billion ($2.9 billion) in 2025, with local integration above 40%.
