Morocco is opening its doors to defence giants from the world’s most polarizing military nation as tensions grow all around it

Morocco, which has faced some pushback for its decision to side with one of the most unpopular states in the world, Israel, is set to host some of its largest defence companies at the Marrakech Airshow.

• Morocco will host Israeli defense companies at the Marrakech Airshow, strengthening its military partnership with Israel.
• Major Israeli firms like IAI, Elbit Systems, Rafael, Xtend, and Uvision will display advanced military technology, including drones and air defense systems.
• The Marrakech Airshow aims to connect international defense businesses with Africa's growing market and foster local collaborations.
• Morocco has recently purchased various Israeli military equipment, including drones, air defense systems, and rocket launchers, to modernize its armed forces.

Israeli defense firms are on track to display a wide range of military and aerospace equipment in Morocco next month at the Marrakech Airshow, as the North African country deepens its defense ties with Israel.

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Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), Elbit Systems, Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, Xtend, and Uvision are among the Israeli companies likely to exhibit at the Marrakech Airshow, as reported by Calcalistech.

The air show is set to run from October 7 to 10 at the Marrakech Royal Moroccan Air Force Base.

With over 150 aerospace businesses currently working in Morocco, organizers said the airshow aims to connect foreign defense corporations with the developing African market.

The defense companies will show off military supplies ranging from air defense systems and drones to precision weaponry and satellite technologies.

At the Marrakech expo, IAI is slated to showcase systems like the LORA precision-strike weapon and the Heron MK II drone, as well as air-defense and satellite technology.

The company also intends to form local collaborations and enhance knowledge transfer, mirroring Morocco's broader efforts to strengthen its domestic aerospace and defense industries.

IAI has previously provided Morocco with the Barak 8 air defense system in a transaction worth around $500 million.

The corporation is also participating in a far larger satellite initiative worth roughly $1 billion.

Morocco has also bought many Israeli-made drones, including Elbit Systems' Hermes 450 and 900, as well as IAI's Heron 1.

In addition, the government has bought Israeli artillery and missile systems as part of its efforts to modernize its military.

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Currently, as reported as seen in the Ctech report, Morocco’s fleet consists of Israeli aircraft such as the Heron 1 from IAI and the Hermes 450 and Hermes 900 from Elbit Systems.

In 2025, the North African country purchased 36 ATMOS 2000 self-propelled howitzers from Elbit Systems.

This year, it is expected to have purchased eight to twelve PULS multiple rocket launchers from the company for around $150 million.

Given Morocco’s proximity to the Middle Eastern conflict and growing tensions between the country and Algeria over the sovereign rights to the Western Sahara region, Morocco has been bolstering its defense infrastructure.

Recently, during a meeting in New York hosted by United States Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz, Foreign Ministers Nasser Bourita of Morocco and Gideon Saar of Israel formally agreed to elevate their respective diplomatic representation to full embassy status, appoint extraordinary and plenipotentiary ambassadors, and further develop bilateral economic and commercial cooperation.