Israeli Defense Firms to Showcase Advanced Tech at Morocco Air Show
Several Israeli defense companies, including Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), Elbit Systems, and Rafael, will participate for the first time officially in the international air show held from October 7-10 at the Royal Moroccan Air Force base in Marrakech. Other participating firms include Xtend, Shilat, UVision, and Orbit Technologies.
IAI plans to exhibit its Barak air defense system, LORA precision strike system, Heron MK II drone, OPAL network-centric warfare technology, and communication satellites. The company also aims to promote aircraft conversion and maintenance services, emphasizing its goal of fostering local industrial cooperation and technology exchange.
Elbit Systems will showcase its PULS multiple rocket launcher system, Lizard precision guidance kits, SPECTRO multi-spectral electro-optical payload, and various drone families, including the Hermes 900. The company will also present its TerminaTHOR loitering munition system and THOR multi-purpose drone.
Morocco, traditionally a strong market for U.S. and French defense companies, has seen increased defense ties with Israel following the Abraham Accords. Media reports indicate that Israel has secured several defense deals, sometimes displacing French suppliers. These include a $500 million contract for IAI's Barak MX air defense batteries, radar systems for F-5E fighter jets from Elta (an IAI subsidiary), and SkyLock Dome anti-drone systems. IAI has also reportedly supplied Heron drones and Harop loitering munitions to Morocco.
Elbit has supplied Hermes 900 and Hermes 450 drones to Morocco for border patrol and counter-insurgency operations. BlueBird has delivered WanderB and ThunderB tactical drones. Other deals include 36 ATMOS 2000 self-propelled howitzers and PULS rocket systems. Furthermore, IAI secured a $1 billion contract in 2024 to supply two reconnaissance satellites to Morocco by the end of the decade.
In November 2025, the first Israeli defense plant in North Africa opened in Benslimane, near Casablanca, assembling BlueBird's SpyX drones. Moroccan technicians trained in Israel operate the facility, which is expected to reach full capacity by spring 2026.
