The UAE National Pavilion concluded four days of strong participation at the Marrakech Air Show 2026 on 10 October 2026, reinforcing the UAE’s position as a trusted global partner in innovation across the defence, aviation and aerospace sectors. Morocco’s leading aviation and aerospace event was held at the Royal Moroccan Air Force Base under the patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI.
Supported by the Ministry of Defence and the Tawazun Council for Defence Enablement, and organised by ADNEC Group, a Modon company, the pavilion brought together several UAE entities, including EDGE Group, Generation 5 Holding, Multi Level Group (MLG) and Resource Industries. Throughout the event, participating UAE companies held meetings with representatives of leading international defence technology companies and organisations, exploring opportunities for cooperation and strengthening international partnerships.
The pavilion concluded its participation on a high note, welcoming 3,100 visitors on the final day alone, the highest daily attendance recorded during the exhibition. This brought the total number of visitors over the four-day event to 6,328, reflecting strong interest in the UAE’s defence, aviation and aerospace capabilities.
Promoting Abu Dhabi’s Leading Defence and Security Exhibitions
Throughout the four-day event, Capital Events, the event management arm of ADNEC Group, held 58 meetings to promote upcoming editions of the International Defence Exhibition (IDEX), the International Defence Conference (IDC) and the Naval Defence Exhibition (NAVDEX), scheduled to take place from 25 to 29 January 2027. The upcoming events are expected to be the largest in their history.
Capital Events also held meetings to promote the Unmanned Systems Exhibition (UMEX) 2028 and the International Exhibition for National Security and Resilience (ISNR), reflecting growing international interest in Abu Dhabi’s portfolio of defence and security events.
The strong interest generated at the Marrakech Air Show 2026 further reinforces the international standing of IDEX, NAVDEX and ISNR. Numerous exhibitors, industry leaders and defence companies expressed their interest in participating in the 2027 editions, with the events expected to attract record numbers of exhibitors and visitors, further consolidating their positions among the world’s leading defence and security exhibitions.
Throughout the exhibition, the UAE National Pavilion also welcomed senior leaders, engineers and specialists from participating UAE entities, providing a platform to showcase the nation’s capabilities and expertise across the defence, aviation and aerospace sectors.
UAE Air Force Aerobatic Team Delivers Spectacular Displays
Alongside the pavilion’s participation, the UAE Air Force and Air Defence’s Al Fursan aerobatic team took part in the Marrakech Air Show 2026, delivering exceptional aerial displays that captivated audiences across the Moroccan city. The performances highlighted the precision, professionalism and outstanding aerial skills of the UAE team.
First held in 2008, the Marrakech Air Show takes place biennially and has established itself as Morocco’s leading aviation and aerospace event. It brings together participants from the civil and military aviation and space sectors from around the world, providing a platform for showcasing capabilities, exchanging expertise and strengthening international cooperation.
EDGE Moves Towards Localised Small-Arms and Aeronautical Engine Production in Morocco
EDGE has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Morocco’s Administration of National Defence (ADN), the body overseeing defence procurement for the Royal Armed Forces, at the Marrakech Air Show 2026. The MoU establishes a framework to identify local production opportunities for high-performance small arms and aeronautical engines in the Kingdom through partnerships with Moroccan companies.
The MoU reflects EDGE’s commitment to meeting customer requirements through regional partnerships. By working with qualified local companies, EDGE brings production closer to its customers, strengthens supply chains and through-life support and contributes to the growth of sovereign industrial ecosystems.
Hamad Al Marar, Managing Director and CEO of EDGE, said: “Morocco is a key partner for EDGE in Africa, and this MoU puts our partnership-first approach into practice. Our model is built on knowledge exchange, local production and technology transfer, creating mutually beneficial partnerships that grow national industry alongside our own. By working with Moroccan companies to localise the production of mission-proven firearms and advanced aeronautical engines, we are helping to build an industrial backbone that meets the Kingdom’s defence requirements.”
CARACAL, a leading designer and manufacturer of high-performance small arms and small-calibre ammunition, and POWERTECH, which develops advanced aero engines and propulsion systems for unmanned and autonomous platforms, are part of EDGE’s synergised defence manufacturing ecosystem in the UAE. Built to deliver capability at speed and scale, that ecosystem is being extended to partner nations building their own sovereign defence industrial bases.
EDGE Strengthens Morocco’s Air Power with Precision Weapons for Its Unmanned Combat Fleet
EDGE has signed a contract with Morocco’s Administration of National Defence (ADN), the body overseeing defence procurement for the Royal Armed Forces, to supply the DESERT STING 16 (DS-16) guided-glide weapon and THUNDER P-31 precision-guided munition to the Royal Moroccan Air Force (RMAF).
Signed at the Marrakech Air Show 2026, the contract covers the supply of both weapons and their integration into the RMAF’s fleet of unmanned combat aerial vehicles (UCAVs).
The contract reflects EDGE’s long-term commitment to the Kingdom of Morocco and to Africa, one of its priority growth markets. EDGE works with its partners through flexible, open business models, shaping each programme around the customer’s operational requirements and integrating its systems into the platforms they already operate.
Saif Al Dahbashi, President of Missiles & Weapons at EDGE, said: “This contract is built around delivering the performance that the Royal Moroccan Air Force’s missions demand. We move at the speed our partners need, and every system we deliver is backed by assured supply and long-term sustainment. By putting mission-ready precision capabilities in the hands of the Royal Moroccan Air Force, we are establishing EDGE as a trusted partner of the Kingdom and laying the foundations for an enduring relationship.”
DS-16 is a 23 kg guided-glide weapon with a range of up to 15 km, while THUNDER P-31 converts the MK 81 general-purpose munition into a precision-guided munition with a range of up to 10 km when released from unmanned aerial vehicles and 20 km when released from high-speed, high-altitude platforms. Both combine GNSS-assisted inertial navigation with an optional semi-active laser seeker and are developed and manufactured in the UAE.
Under the contract, EDGE will integrate both weapons into the RMAF’s UCAV fleet, covering the aircraft modifications and software required to carry and employ them operationally.
The contract marks EDGE’s latest step in supporting African partners as they secure their borders, coastlines and territorial waters. In Angola, EDGE is delivering a EUR 1 billion naval modernisation programme comprising three BR71 MK II Combattante corvettes and six HT-100 NAVAL unmanned helicopters and has signed a letter of intent for a multi-year border security programme with the country’s Ministry of Interior.
