Lockheed Martin, a prominent player in the defense technology sector listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol LMT, is set to participate as a Platinum Sponsor at the Marrakech International Airshow 2026. This highly anticipated event will take place from October 7 to 10, where Lockheed Martin will exhibit its latest defense technologies and engage in discussions with Moroccan companies regarding future defense program collaborations.
In the lead-up to the event, Lockheed Martin will host an 'Industry Day' on October 6, in collaboration with the Moroccan Ministry of Industry and Trade. This initiative aims to provide potential suppliers from across Morocco with insights into qualification requirements and explore opportunities for manufacturing and collaboration with Lockheed Martin. Steve Sheehy, the Vice President for International Business Development in the Aerospace sector at Lockheed Martin, emphasized the significance of this partnership, stating, 'We have worked alongside Morocco for over 50 years to support its defense needs. As this partnership grows, we look forward to Moroccan companies playing a larger role in our global supply chain. The Industry Day is a practical step to identify suppliers with the expertise and capabilities to contribute to these current and future programs.'
Lockheed Martin's exhibition booth will feature a mock-up of the cockpit of the F-35 fighter jet, offering invited guests the opportunity to explore fifth-generation air capabilities through scheduled demonstrations. Attendees will also have the chance to view scale models of the F-35A, F-16, and C-130J Super Hercules aircraft, alongside a display of a C-130J belonging to the U.S. Air Force and F-16s from the Royal Moroccan Air Force. This presence of the C-130J will facilitate discussions regarding the future of Morocco's tactical airlift capability, highlighting the advanced solutions offered by the Super Hercules to modernize airlift capabilities for military transport, humanitarian relief, and disaster response operations.
The booth will also feature full-scale exhibits of the Sniper targeting pod network, along with various aircraft on display. Lockheed Martin will showcase the Javelin missile and the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS), as well as scale models of the enhanced PAC-3 missile interceptor and long-range precision strike missile systems. These exhibits will contribute to the dialogue surrounding air power, precision fires, and air and missile defense, underlining the importance of integrating platforms, sensors, and command and control systems to enhance the clients' ability to coordinate operations and make quicker, more effective decisions in the face of evolving threats. This approach is central to Lockheed Martin's vision for security in the 21st century.
Since its inception in 1974, Lockheed Martin's partnership with the Royal Moroccan Air Force has seen continuous expansion, beginning with the delivery of the first C-130H Hercules aircraft. This collaboration has evolved to include the delivery of the first F-16 Block 52 aircraft in 2011 and currently encompasses long-term support and operations of aircraft, along with industrial capability development. A strategic partnership announced in 2022 supports Maintenance Aero Maroc (MAM), a collaboration with Sabena Engineering, a subsidiary of the Belgian group Oryx, and Medz, a subsidiary of the Moroccan Deposit and Management Fund (CDG), aimed at developing national expertise and enhancing aircraft maintenance infrastructure in Morocco.
In October 2025, MAM and its partners laid the foundation for a new aircraft hangar in Benslimane, covering over 8,000 square meters, marking a significant step forward in developing aircraft maintenance capabilities in Morocco. Initially designed for heavy maintenance and modernization of C-130 Hercules aircraft, there are plans to expand the facility to include other air platforms, including F-16s. This project will also contribute to developing local technical competencies and support Morocco's efforts to establish itself as a regional hub for aircraft maintenance, repair, and overhaul.
As reported by zawya.com.
