Susanna Riva From October 7th to 10th, the Marrakech Air Show became the stage for a historic event in North African military relations. Held at the Royal Moroccan Air Force base, the biennial show has traditionally been dominated by European and American exhibitors, but this year it welcomed an Israeli national pavilion for the first time , marking a turning point linked to the 2020 Abraham Accords .
Israel's debut: eight companies, three giants
The Israeli Ministry of Defense announced the presence of eight companies in the sector, including the three giants that already supply the Moroccan Armed Forces: Elbit Systems Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) and Rafael . Their booth displayed combat-proven systems for all domains: air, land, sea, space, as well as intelligence, cyber, and digital solutions.
Among the new products are the Hermes 900 long-range drone, the SkyStriker lethal air-to-ground projectile and the Puls guided rocket artillery capable of hitting targets at a range of over 300 km.
The other seven Israeli companies
Alongside the three main groups, five other companies brought their technologies to the podium: manufacturers of optical sensors, tactical communications systems, electronic warfare platforms, and suppliers of drone components.
All emphasized that their offerings are already in operational use in several conflict theaters, offering Rabat the opportunity to access field-tested solutions.
The geopolitical impact: from agreements to concrete operations
Israel's participation is not just a matter of trade; it is the manifestation of a diplomatic bond consolidated in 2020, when the two countries signed the Abraham Accords in exchange for US recognition of Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara. Embassies will soon be officially operational, direct flights between Tel Aviv and Marrakech will be reactivated, and high-level visits are planned in the coming months.
At the same time, Morocco confirmed its membership in the International Stabilization Force (ISF), among the few countries willing to send troops to Gaza, signaling a balanced defense strategy that combines Western and Eastern partnerships.
Internal reactions and future prospects
Despite government enthusiasm, the Israeli presence has sparked protests from pro-Palestinian groups in Rabat, with demonstrations in front of Parliament demanding an end to normalization. However, the Moroccan Ministry of Defense, headed by Abdellatif Loudiyi, reiterated that the goal is "to move from an import model to a national defense and sovereignty capability."
Looking ahead, Israel's strategy is clear: consolidate its position as a key supplier to the African continent, leveraging the visibility of the Marrakech Air Show to secure new contracts in Algeria, Tunisia, and Libya. For Morocco, the event represents a decisive step toward industrial autonomy, with joint venture projects for the local production of drones and advanced electronic components.