A delegation from the Tawazun Council for Defence Enablement joined the UAE Ministry of Defence in backing the national pavilion organised by ADNEC Group at the event running through October 10. The pavilion unites EDGE Group, Generation 5 Holding, Multi Level Group and Resource Industries to display technologies ranging from drones and military vehicles to artificial intelligence systems. This engagement forms part of the council’s ongoing programme to secure market access and strategic alliances for UAE defence firms, the Gulf Today reported.
The Marrakech Airshow 2026 is set to host nearly 200 exhibitors from 27 countries along with more than 250 high-level civil and military delegations from around the world, according to event organisers. Moroccan industry data places the gathering as one of Africa’s leading platforms for aerospace and defence collaboration, with a strong emphasis on high-technology systems and innovation. The UAE’s prominent role reflects deepening bilateral defence and economic ties with Morocco that have accelerated since a joint declaration signed in December 2023.
Tawazun Council for Defence Enablement operates as an independent government entity established under Federal Decree-Law No. 31 of 2022, serving as the supreme authority for regulating military procurements and defence industries across the UAE, its official overview states. The council drives localisation initiatives under the national Operation 300bn industrial strategy while funding research, development and technology transfer projects in partnership with academic institutions. Its mandate includes balancing defence requirements with local sector growth to improve efficiency and attract investment.
EDGE Group, one of the pavilion participants, has recorded annual revenues between $4.9 billion and $5.06 billion with international orders accounting for about 76 percent of sales and an export backlog exceeding $20 billion, industry figures show. The company’s focus on overseas expansion mirrors the broader trajectory of the UAE defence sector, which has prioritised global partnerships to enhance competitiveness. Tawazun’s coordination ensures such exhibitions translate high-level policy into tangible industrial outcomes.
Bilateral relations between Abu Dhabi and Rabat have matured into substantial investment and cooperation frameworks since the 2023 declaration between Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and King Mohammed VI, a development noted in regional assessments. The airshow offers a venue to advance these ties through potential joint ventures in manufacturing and technology sharing. UAE firms are positioned to explore opportunities in a Moroccan aerospace ecosystem that now encompasses more than 150 companies.
Participation in the Marrakech Airshow aligns with Tawazun’s strategic objectives to build a future-ready national defence ecosystem through sustained international engagement and innovation. The council continues to oversee national pavilions at key exhibitions worldwide to identify partnership prospects that bolster UAE industrial capabilities. Such activities support the long-term goal of establishing a resilient and globally integrated defence industrial base.
