Israel makes official defence debut at Morocco's Marrakech Air Show
Israel's Ministry of Defense opened its first national pavilion at the Marrakech Air Show 2026.
Israel opened its first national pavilion at Morocco's Marrakech Air Show 2026. The event, held from October 7 to October 10 at the Marrakech Royal Moroccan Air Force Base, saw Israel's Ministry of Defense send an official delegation and national display for the first time. The ministry's International Defense Cooperation Directorate, SIBAT, led a group of eight Israeli defence companies. "This marks Israel's first official participation in the defense exhibition held in Morocco since the signing of the Abraham Accords," Israel's Ministry of Defense said.
Strategic goals behind Israel's participation
The opening of the Israeli national pavilion forms part of a strategy to increase defence exports and strengthen international cooperation. This strategy is also designed to bolster the capabilities of the Israel Defense Forces and extend Israel's foreign policy influence. The participation provides a direct platform for expanding these defence partnerships.
Scope of Israeli defence capabilities on display
Eight Israeli defence companies exhibited advanced, combat-proven technologies at the show. The national pavilion featured five firms focused on small drone and loitering munition systems: ASIO Technologies, Orbit Communication Systems, Shilat Optronics, Uvision Air and Xtend Systems. Alongside them, Israel's three largest defence contractors-Israel Aerospace Industries, Elbit Systems, and Rafael Advanced Defense Systems-operated their own booths.
These companies presented solutions across multiple operational domains.
Rafael, led by CEO Yoav Tourgeman, highlighted its Spyder air defence system, recently sold to Greece and Romania, which integrates radar, command and control on a single vehicle. It also showed the Hunter Eagle interceptor drone for countering small drones. Elbit presented its Mini-MUSIC airborne self-protection system using directed-energy countermeasures.
Broader context of Israel-Morocco defence engagement
Morocco normalized relations with Israel in December 2020 under the U.S.-brokered Abraham Accords, joining three months after the UAE and Bahrain. Despite nearly six years of official ties, defence relations have often been low-profile for security reasons. Reports over the last year have indicated Morocco may have acquired Israel Aerospace Industries' Barak MX air defence system and partnered with an Israeli drone maker.
Last month, the two countries agreed to upgrade diplomatic ties, including raising missions to embassies and appointing ambassadors. This followed a meeting between their foreign ministers on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York, hosted by US Ambassador to the UN Mike Waltz. SIBAT head Brig. Gen. (Res.) Yair Kulas called the exhibition "a platform for expanding international defense cooperation and building long-term partnerships." During the event, the Israeli delegation held meetings with officials from various countries.
Regional defence landscape and Morocco's military posture
Morocco is the second-largest defence spender in Africa, with over $6 billion spent last year according to SIPRI figures. The biennial Marrakech Air Show, running since 2008, attracts more than 200 exhibitors from two dozen countries. Morocco is also one of five countries pledged to send troops to the US-backed International Stabilization Force for Gaza.
Israel and Morocco agreed to reinstate direct flights and confirmed plans for high-level bilateral visits in the coming months.
