Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) is set to participate as a platinum sponsor at the upcoming Marrakech Airshow 2026, scheduled for October 7-10. This event will serve as a platform for showcasing advanced defense technologies while engaging Moroccan companies in discussions about future defense program participation opportunities.
Industrial Day Before the Show
In advance of the airshow, Lockheed Martin will host an Industrial Day on Tuesday, October 6, in collaboration with the Moroccan Ministry of Industry and Trade. This initiative aims to provide potential suppliers from across Morocco with essential briefings on qualification requirements and opportunities for manufacturing partnerships with Lockheed Martin.
Steve Sheehy, Vice President of International Business at Lockheed Martin Aeronautics, emphasized the long-standing relationship with Morocco, stating, "We have been working alongside Morocco for over 50 years to support its defense needs. As this partnership evolves, we aim for Moroccan companies to play a greater role in our global supply chain. Our Industrial Day is a concrete step to identify suppliers with the necessary expertise to contribute to both current and future programs, while our maintenance partnerships help develop the skills and capacity to maintain aircraft closer to home."
At the Airshow
During the airshow, Lockheed Martin's exhibit will feature a demonstrator of the F-35 cockpit, allowing invited guests to explore the capabilities of fifth-generation air power through scheduled demonstrations. Attendees will also have the opportunity to view scale models of the F-35A, F-16, and C-130J Super Hercules. Additionally, a C-130J from the US Air Force and F-16s from the Royal Moroccan Air Force will be present on the flight line, providing an opportunity to discuss the future of Morocco's tactical airlift fleet.
Building on decades of experience with the Hercules aircraft within the Royal Moroccan Air Force, the Super Hercules presents a pathway to modernize airlift capabilities for military transport, humanitarian assistance, and disaster response. A full-scale display of the Sniper networked targeting pod will complement the aircraft exhibitions.
Moreover, the company will showcase the Javelin and the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS), alongside scale models of the PAC-3 Missile Segment Enhancement interceptor and the Extended Range Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System. Collectively, these exhibits will facilitate discussions surrounding air power, precision strike capabilities, and air and missile defense. These discussions will also address how connecting platforms, sensors, and command systems can aid customers in coordinating operations and responding more effectively to evolving threats, which is a central aspect of Lockheed Martin’s 21st Century Security® approach.
Lockheed Martin's partnership with the Royal Moroccan Air Force dates back to 1974, beginning with the delivery of its first C-130H Hercules. Over the years, this relationship has expanded with the first deliveries of the F-16 Block 52 in 2011 and now includes cooperation on aircraft maintenance and industrial development. This collaboration encompasses the strategic partnership announced in 2022 supporting Maintenance Aero Maroc (MAM). Joint efforts with Sabena Engineering, part of the Belgian Orizio group, and MEDZ, linked to the Moroccan CDG group, are instrumental in developing aircraft maintenance expertise and infrastructure within Morocco.
In October 2025, MAM and its partners laid the foundation stone for a hangar exceeding 8,000 square meters in Benslimane. Originally designed for heavy maintenance and modernization of C-130 Hercules aircraft, the project includes plans for expansion to other platforms, including the F-16. This initiative will contribute to developing local technical skills and support Morocco's ambition to become a regional hub for aircraft maintenance, repair, and overhaul.
As reported by industries.ma.
