Israel's Inaugural Presence at the Marrakech Air Show
In a significant milestone for defense collaboration, Israel officially participated in the Marrakech Air Show 2026, marking its first presence at a defense exhibition in Morocco since the tripartite agreement was signed between Morocco, the United States, and Israel on December 22, 2020. The Israeli Ministry of Defense led a delegation of defense industry representatives to showcase cutting-edge military technologies at their national pavilion.
This inaugural participation also saw the Defense International Cooperation Directorate of the Israeli Ministry of Defense, known as SIBAT, open a national pavilion, which is an unprecedented move for this event. Eight Israeli defense companies presented their battle-tested technologies, featuring innovations such as loitering munitions, AI-powered robotic systems, autonomous navigation capabilities for drones, laser guidance for FPV drones, and satellite communication systems.
Showcasing Advanced Defense Technologies
Among the exhibitors at the national pavilion, five prominent companies showcased their innovative solutions. Asio Technologies introduced systems that maintain navigation and command capabilities even when GPS signals are jammed. Orbit Communication Systems displayed satellite communication terminals designed for land, maritime, and aerial platforms. Shilat Optronics highlighted optronic systems, which include laser guidance for munitions and drones. UVision exhibited its Hero loitering munitions, which are kamikaze drones that circle a target area before delivering a strike. Moreover, XTEND showcased tactical drones equipped with AI, including FPV drones and loitering munitions.
Additionally, Israel's three major defense groups were present at the show. Elbit Systems, the leading private sector group, specializes in ground systems, drones, and optronics. Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), a state-owned entity, manufactures aircraft, satellites, drones, and radar systems. Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, also publicly owned, is renowned for its Iron Dome and Spike missile systems, providing solutions across air, land, sea, space, intelligence, cyber, and digital domains.
This strategic participation aligns with the Israeli Ministry of Defense's objective to enhance defense exports and foster cooperation with partner countries. According to the ministry, this initiative aims to bolster the capabilities of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), influence foreign policy, and support the Israeli defense industry and economy. Numerous meetings were held with delegations and government officials from various countries during the event, facilitating international collaboration.
General Yair Kulas, head of SIBAT, emphasized the importance of this first-time participation in Morocco, stating, "This marks a significant milestone for the Ministry of Defense and Israeli defense industry. The participating companies have brought proven battle technologies along with innovations in autonomy, artificial intelligence, and communications." He described SIBAT as "a gateway to the Israeli defense ecosystem," and highlighted the event as a platform for expanding international cooperation and building sustainable partnerships.
As reported by fr.le360.ma.
