The Marrakech Airshow opens on Wednesday with a strong US military and defence industry presence. The four-day event runs from 7 to 10 October at the Royal Air Force base in Marrakech. Held under the High Patronage of King Mohammed VI, the airshow brings together military officials, defence companies, aircraft manufacturers and civil aviation leaders from several countries.
The US Department of Defence is taking part with US Air Forces in Europe, Air Forces Africa and the US Embassy in Rabat. The programme includes a US Air Force flyover, while aircraft from the Utah and Alaska Air National Guards are on static display.
The Utah National Guard has a long military partnership with Morocco. The two sides have worked together since 2003 under the US State Partnership Program. Their cooperation covers joint tactical training, medical readiness and disaster response. US forces and the Royal Armed Forces have also held joint military activities in recent years.
Lockheed Martin is one of the main defence companies at the airshow and is a Platinum Sponsor of the event.
The company is showing an F-35 cockpit demonstrator, as well as scale models of the F-35A, F-16 and C-130J Super Hercules.
Visitors can also see an operational US Air Force C-130J and Royal Moroccan Air Force F-16s on static display.
Lockheed Martin is also displaying its Sniper targeting pod, Javelin missile and High Mobility Artillery Rocket System, known as HIMARS.
The company held an industrial matchmaking day with the Ministry of Industry and Trade on Tuesday, one day before the airshow opened. The meeting focused on connecting Moroccan manufacturing companies with Lockheed Martin’s global supply chains.
The industrial cooperation has a long history. Morocco first acquired C-130 Hercules aircraft in 1974, marking the start of decades of cooperation with Lockheed Martin.
The 2026 airshow comes as Morocco develops its aerospace industry, including aircraft maintenance, manufacturing and technology.
The event is also a place for international defence companies, government delegations and civil aviation leaders to discuss new partnerships and agreements. The programme continues until 10 October.
