In Marrakech, Gulf military chiefs are also coming to shop for defense equipment
Top military officials from the Gulf are expected at the Marrakech Air Show 2026. Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates are notably preparing high-level delegations for this event dedicated to aviation and defense.
The Gulf countries are expected to have a prominent presence at the next Marrakech Air Show. Several senior officers are listed among the show’s headline guests, scheduled to take place from 7 to 10 October at the Marrakech Royal Air Force base.
According to Intelligence Online, which reported the information on 21 September, Riyadh and Abu Dhabi are notably preparing to send major military delegations to Morocco. The identities of the officials expected have not yet been made public.
This presence is set to give the show a strong diplomatic dimension. The Marrakech Air Show will not bring together only manufacturers and equipment suppliers: it will also facilitate meetings between military staffs, government officials and defense industry executives.
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Saudi Arabia and the Emirates already maintain long-standing military cooperation with Morocco. Their representation in Marrakech will also enable them to discover the equipment that major international groups intend to offer the region’s armed forces.
The Emirates arrive with their defense industry
The Emirati participation will not be limited to military officials. The Emirates’ national pavilion has confirmed Marrakech among the stops on its 2026 international tour, following the Eurosatory show held in June in Paris.
This industrial delegation is supported by the Emirati Ministry of Defense and the Tawazun Council for Defence Enablement. It usually brings together several national companies, including EDGE Group, one of Abu Dhabi’s leading producers of weapons, drones, guided munitions and military technologies.
EDGE had already used the 2024 edition to present guided weapons, drones, precision munitions and cybersecurity systems in Morocco. Its return is part of the Emirati defense industry’s strengthened international presence.
The show will also host numerous American, European, Asian and Israeli groups. Canadian manufacturer INKAS is notably due to present an AI-guided drone and two armored vehicles, while L3Harris will exhibit its new Skyraider II military aircraft.
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The 2026 edition is officially scheduled from 7 to 10 October, confirms the Marrakech Air Show. It is set to highlight civil and military aviation, drones, artificial intelligence, space technologies and advanced defense systems.
The announced arrival of senior Gulf military officials thus strengthens the role of the Moroccan show: beyond showcasing equipment, Marrakech is becoming a meeting place for arms industry players and the region’s main military decision-makers.
