Israeli Defense Industries Make Their Mark in Morocco
Seven prominent Israeli defense companies are gearing up for their official participation in the Marrakech Air Show, scheduled from October 7 to 10 at the Royal Air Forces base in Marrakech. This event marks a significant milestone as these firms, previously excluded from major trade fairs hosted in France, will exhibit their cutting-edge technologies including missiles, drones, rocket launchers, and air defense systems. Among the companies expected to participate are Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), Elbit Systems, Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, Xtend, Shilat, Uvision, and Orbit Technologies. Their collective presence signifies an official debut for Israeli defense manufacturers at the Moroccan trade show, as reported by the Jerusalem Post.
This gathering is particularly vital for Israeli firms aiming to enhance their footprint in a defense market that has historically been dominated by French and American groups. IAI, recognized as a leader in aerospace and defense, will showcase some of its most advanced systems, including the Barak family of air defense systems and the long-range precision strike weapon, LORA. Additionally, IAI will introduce the Heron MK II drone, the collaborative combat technology OPAL, and a range of communication satellites. The company is also looking to promote its aviation maintenance services and its capability to convert passenger transport aircraft into cargo planes. On its official website, IAI confirms its intention to seek local partners for industrial cooperation, knowledge sharing, and technology transfer.
Strategic Shift in the Defense Landscape
Elbit Systems will complement IAI's offerings by presenting its multiple rocket launcher PULS, precision-guidance kits such as Lizard, and the multispectral electro-optical system SPECTRO. The company will also feature an array of drones and tactical munitions, including the Hermes 900, THOR, and the TerminaTHOR system. Although the specific technologies that Rafael, Xtend, Shilat, Uvision, and Orbit Technologies will showcase in Marrakech have not yet been disclosed, their participation underscores the Israeli defense industry's commitment to presenting a comprehensive array of solutions in air defense, drone technology, loitering munitions, communications, and precision strike capabilities.
This participation comes on the heels of Israeli firms being barred from the Eurosatory show in 2024 and the Bourget Air Show in 2025, a decision made by French authorities citing the ongoing conflicts in Gaza and Lebanon as reasons for not meeting the necessary conditions for participation. Israeli defense manufacturers strongly contested these decisions, arguing that they unfairly favored their competitors. Now, they will present similar categories of weaponry in Marrakech, standing alongside established French companies like Airbus, Thales, Safran, and Dassault, which have long been entrenched in Morocco’s aerospace and military landscape.
As a result, the Marrakech Air Show emerges as a new battleground for competition between French and Israeli defense industries. While French firms maintain a longstanding presence in Morocco, Israeli companies are making significant strides in fields such as drone technology, air defense, artillery, and space technologies.
As reported by bladi.net.
