U.S. F-35 Stealth Fighters Fly Over Marrakech Airshow 2026 as Morocco Signs New Defense Deals
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The Arab Post
- . October 8, 2026
- . Update: October 9, 2026 11:17 am
The opening of Marrakech Airshow 2026 took place this week at the Royal Moroccan Air Force Base, including an historic airshow by two U.S. F-35 stealth aircraft. At the same time, the Moroccan government inked huge new defense orders for sovereign drone production, aircraft servicing and sophisticated electro-optics.
U.S. Military Showcases the Lightning II
In recognition of the 250th anniversary of the alliance between the United States and Morocco, U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) sent two F-35A Lightning II aircraft. The advanced aircraft flew formation flights and aerobatic maneuvers with the Royal Moroccan Air Force aircraft that they were escorting, along with some 45 American military personnel.
The deployment is a high-profile showcase of America’s most advanced combat jet, showcasing it in the heart of Marrakech Airshow 2026. The show in the air indicates a “linguistic military connection” that’s “very deep” between Washington and Rabat, according to U.S. Ambassador Duke Buchan III.
Accelerating Domestic Military Manufacturing
In addition to the showmanship on the runway, the key theme of the Marrakech Airshow is strengthening Morocco defence sovereignty. Morocco World News reported that the National Defense Administration (DNA) signed a strategic agreement with AI drones to create and produce the Moroccan combat drone, a Moroccan-made drone.
This partnership is a direct transition from the assembly phase to the advanced and sovereign engineering phase, stressed D. Minister for National Defence Abdellatif Loudiyi.
Meanwhile, aerospace giant Lockheed Martin announced plans to build a specialist Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facility in Benslimane. According to Business Insider Africa, the base was originally meant to be used to service the C-130 Hercules transport aircraft but eventually, it will be able to accommodate Morocco’s growing number of F-16 fighters.
Expanding India’s Footprint in North Africa
South-South defence cooperation also was highlighted at the airshow. The other major Indian defense company vowed to join the fray, just after Tata Advanced Systems (TAS), which recently began manufacturing WhAP 8×8 combat vehicles in Casablanca.
The Print reported that MKU Limited had officially announced that it was going to open a new manufacturing plant in Morocco for the production of advanced optronics as well as ballistic armor. The plant’s goal is to sell multi-sensor electro-optic systems to Africa and Europe.
Why the Sovereign Aerospace Shift Matters – Marrakech Airshow 2026
Such huge new defense orders with Africa make it clear that the Kingdom is even making itself a major military exporter to Africa. Local manufacturing and technology transfer is expected to protect the army from disruptions in the global supply chain.
Overall, the Marrakech Airshow 2026 demonstrates Rabat’s ability to harness foreign partnerships to develop full Morocco defense sovereignty. In partnership with America’s software companies and Indian armor producers, the country’s military-industrial complex is quickly modernizing for the next ten years.
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