Israeli Defense Firms Showcase Advanced Arsenal at Marrakech Air Show

Eight Israeli defense companies are set to participate in the Marrakech International Air Show, scheduled from October 7-10. The firms will present a wide array of military systems, including long-range missiles, guided bombs, loitering munitions, drones, and air defense and communication systems. This participation highlights the growing military cooperation between Morocco and Israel, which has expanded from expertise exchange to the acquisition of advanced weaponry.

Among the participating companies are Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), Elbit Systems, Rafael, XTEND, Shilat, UVision, Osio Technologies, and Orbit Technologies. IAI will feature its LORA surface-to-surface missile, capable of striking targets between 90 and 430 kilometers away and deployable from land and sea platforms. Elbit Systems is showcasing its PULS rocket artillery system, which can fire various missiles and guided munitions, including the Predator Hawk with a range of up to 300 kilometers.

Rafael will display its SPICE 2000 guidance kits, which convert conventional bombs into precision-guided munitions with a range of approximately 60 kilometers. UVision will present its HERO family of loitering munitions, designed for target acquisition and attack, including the HERO 400 model. IAI's offerings also include the Heron MK2 drone, along with air defense and satellite communication technologies.

Other companies are contributing specialized systems: Shilat provides laser seekers for guided munitions, Osio Technologies develops drone navigation systems independent of satellite signals, and Orbit Technologies specializes in military satellite communication equipment. This presence underscores the deepening military ties between Morocco and Israel, evidenced by Morocco's 2022 acquisition of the Barak MX air defense system for nearly $500 million and PULS launchers for about $150 million, along with EXTRA missiles. Morocco has also acquired BlueBird's WanderB and ThunderB drones for reconnaissance and border security.

The Israeli delegation's participation is seen as more than just a commercial exhibition, serving as a window into the breadth of Israeli defense industries and the expanding scope of military collaboration between the two nations.