The UAE Pavilion at the Marrakech Airshow 2026 is set to significantly enhance the nation's global leadership in defense innovation and collaboration within the aviation and aerospace sectors. This pavilion plays a pivotal role in providing high-value export opportunities by connecting national companies with buyers, investors, and strategic partners from around the globe. The event, taking place from October 7 to 10 at the Royal Moroccan Air Force Base in Marrakech under the patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, serves as a prominent platform in Morocco's aviation and aerospace industry.
Featuring the latest advancements in both civil and military aviation as well as aerospace technology, the exhibition includes static displays of aircraft and high-level business meetings among companies, alongside a specialized conference program that unites industry leaders, innovators, and international delegations. The UAE Pavilion is organized with the support of the UAE Ministry of Defense and the Defense Empowerment Council, and is managed by ADNEC Group, a subsidiary of the Abu Dhabi government. This positions the UAE’s defense sector at the heart of one of the most significant global gatherings for aviation and aerospace, attracting over 250 high-profile civil and military delegations from across the world.
The exhibition will prominently feature the Defense Empowerment Council, which is part of a strategic initiative aimed at bolstering the UAE's defense sector, expanding international partnerships, and enhancing industrial cooperation. As the national body tasked with translating the UAE's defense and security priorities into institutional, industrial, and economic outcomes, the Council oversees the pavilion's program at the Marrakech Airshow in coordination with the Ministry of Defense. This initiative assists national companies in accessing international markets and building strategic partnerships, encompassing responsibilities such as defense procurement, industrial localization, and the development of a flexible defense industrial base. Concurrently, the Council leads research, development, and innovation efforts across government entities, the industrial sector, and academic institutions, supporting the UAE's long-term ambition to establish a future-ready national defense system.
The pavilion showcases a selection of leading Emirati entities in defense, aviation, and aerospace, including EDGE Group, Generation 5 Holding, Multi Level Group (MLG), and Resource Industries, along with the magazines 'Soldier' and 'National Shield.' This highlights the advanced defense capabilities of the UAE, reinforcing its status as a reliable global partner in aerospace innovation and industrial collaboration. The pavilion also serves as a strategic platform for national companies to present their advanced solutions and next-generation technologies to potential buyers, investors, and strategic partners, thereby expanding their reach into major international markets in Africa, Europe, and beyond, while opening high-value export opportunities.
Moreover, the pavilion acts as a global hub for high-level communication and strategic dialogue, bringing together governments, industry leaders, and strategic partners to collaborate, share expertise, and build impactful partnerships, reaffirming the UAE's commitment to developing international cooperation and enhancing global security. Through its active participation in various specialized international exhibitions this year, the pavilion is promoting the upcoming 2027 editions of several significant events, including the International Defense Exhibition (IDEX), the International Defense Conference (IDC), and the Naval Defense and Security Exhibition (NAVDEX). It provides a platform for sector leaders to network, adopt the latest technologies, and explore new areas for collaboration.
EDGE Group will showcase capabilities based on three operational advantages: early situational awareness, assured operational execution, and precise impact across various levels. The group's air and ground surveillance systems enable operators to maintain continuous situational awareness across borders, coastlines, and critical infrastructure. Their counter-drone and electronic protection systems disrupt the control links and navigation signals of hostile drones while preserving the positioning and communication capabilities of friendly forces in contested electromagnetic environments. EDGE's portfolio of precision systems includes loitering munitions, guided glide weapons, and precision-guided munitions that deliver strike accuracy from safe distances, whether or not satellite navigation is available, supported by multi-layered air defense systems and munitions produced within a single industrial base.
Generation 5 Holding will also participate in the UAE national pavilion at the Marrakech Airshow 2026, showcasing a range of products and capabilities that include aerial systems, air defense, unmanned systems, and missiles, alongside ground platforms equipped with advanced air defense capabilities. The company highlights its advanced manufacturing capabilities, which encompass the development, production, and integration of platforms and systems, along with the production of components and subassemblies used in various defense systems. Its participation facilitates communication with sector leaders, relevant government entities, manufacturers, and decision-makers, exploring strategic cooperation opportunities and continuing expansion in regional and international markets.
Multi Level Group (MLG) will present the capabilities of the Advanced Mobility Hub (AMH), a subsidiary specializing in advanced aerial mobility based in Abu Dhabi. The hub operates two leading aircraft in their categories: the EH216-S from EHang, which is the world’s first electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) drone for passenger transport that has obtained the full set of model, production, airworthiness, and air operator certificates, and the HEXA from LIFT Aircraft, a personal electric eVTOL aircraft that leads the light sport aviation category. In addition to these two aircraft, the hub showcases unmanned aerial systems designed for surveillance, inspection, and emergency response, vertiport infrastructure, and a precise positioning and operational control layer that allows these platforms to safely operate within national airspace. Collectively, these capabilities form an operational infrastructure for advanced aerial mobility that serves government missions, civil protection, and essential services.
Resource Industries will present a range of advanced systems and solutions, including unmanned aerial systems and armored ground vehicles, featuring the V15 and V42 unmanned aerial systems, the H500 unmanned cargo aircraft for heavy payload transport, and the MOREB family of armored vehicles, which includes mine-resistant ambush-protected (MRAP) vehicles, armored personnel carriers (APC), and light reconnaissance and attack vehicles (LSRV), alongside electronic warfare systems.
The 'National Shield' magazine, the official publication of the UAE Ministry of Defense, joins the participating entities in the pavilion. Established in 1971, this magazine is published monthly in both Arabic and English and has been a media partner for many years with major international exhibitions, including IDEX, UMEX, and ISNR, providing official coverage for their daily publications. Additionally, the 'Soldier' magazine, a military and cultural publication from the UAE Ministry of Defense, covers defense exhibitions and conferences, military affairs, new weapon systems, and features interviews with senior military leaders and industry executives, having previously reported on the Marrakech Airshow as part of its ongoing coverage of prominent regional and international defense events.
Visitors will have the opportunity to explore the latest innovations from the UAE in defense, aviation, and aerospace, engage with top industry leaders, and experience the newest solutions on display from October 7 to 10 at exhibition platforms K1 and J3.
As reported by zawya.com.
