Marrakech Air Show 2026: KAI and Leonardo eye Moroccan market

This update focuses on KAI Leonardo training aircraft. The upcoming renewal of the Royal Moroccan Air Force’s training fleet is set to play out in the spotlight at Marrakech Air Show 2026, with Korea Aerospace Industries and Italy’s Leonardo emerging as key contenders.

KAI Leonardo training aircraft in the spotlight

For the first time, Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) will exhibit at Marrakech Air Show, scheduled from 7 to 10 October. The move comes as the company seeks to position its FA-50 on the Moroccan market.

On the other side of the aisle, Italian group Leonardo is promoting its M-346 Master. Behind the trade-show displays lies a strategic question for Morocco: which advanced training system will shape the next generation of its fighter pilots.

For Moroccans living abroad, this development does not affect daily procedures or travel. It does, however, offer a clearer picture of how the country is upgrading its defense tools and consolidating its presence at major international air events.

The FA-50: between advanced training and light combat

According to information available so far, the FA-50 is derived from KAI’s T-50 family. It is designed to serve both as an advanced jet trainer and as a light combat platform.

Exchanges between Moroccan officials and KAI representatives took place in February during the World Defense Show in Riyadh. At that time, Korean specialist media reported Moroccan interest in the aircraft as part of efforts to replace older training jets.

The FA-50 fits into an operational environment already largely structured around US technologies, an aspect KAI highlights as a selling point for several air forces.

Korea Aerospace Industries’ presence in Marrakech confirms a broader push into African markets, where the company is seeking to strengthen its footprint.

The M-346: Leonardo’s full training system

Leonardo, already confirmed among the exhibitors at Marrakech Air Show 2026, is promoting its M-346 on a slightly different basis.

The Italian manufacturer presents the M-346 primarily as an advanced training platform embedded within a full-scale training system. The aircraft is already in service with several air forces, a key commercial argument for Leonardo.

Beyond the jet itself, the group stresses the broader ecosystem: fighter pilot training, simulators, maintenance and long-term support.

For Moroccan decision-makers, the choice is therefore not only about technical performance, but also about the overall training architecture each supplier is able to offer.

What it means for Morocco and its global community

The renewal of the Royal Moroccan Air Force’s training fleet is part of a wider effort to modernize the country’s military capabilities.

No official decision has been announced so far, but the joint presence of KAI and Leonardo in Marrakech illustrates how international manufacturers are competing for a market seen as promising.

For Moroccans abroad, the impact is indirect and relates mainly to how the country positions itself in high-tech sectors:

• a more visible role for Morocco at specialized aerospace trade shows;
• upgraded training capabilities for national fighter pilots;
• potential industrial or technological partnerships that could emerge in the medium term.

At this stage, most information stems from industry announcements and observations at international defense exhibitions. Any concrete development, in particular an official choice of aircraft, will need to be confirmed by the relevant Moroccan authorities.

Until then, Marrakech Air Show 2026 will offer a key opportunity to watch the commercial battle between KAI Leonardo training aircraft and competing solutions on the African market.

For more context, readers can follow Canal212 news for Moroccans abroad.

For official updates, readers can check the relevant official source.