Agadir – Four Moroccan F-16 fighter jets have joined French Rafale aircraft at Orange-Caritat Air Base 115 in France for the ORYX 2026 joint air exercise, marking the first time the Moroccan aircraft have trained alongside the French Rafales at the base.
The French Air and Space Force announced the start of the exercise in a statement shared on its official media accounts. The exercise runs from September 23 to October 2 and involves crews, mechanics, and air controllers from both countries.
“For the first time, four Moroccan F-16s have joined the Rafale aircraft of the 5th Fighter Wing for joint training. From September 23 to October 2, crews, mechanics and controllers from both air forces are strengthening their interoperability, both in the air and on the ground,” the French Air and Space Force said.
The Moroccan F-16s are training with Rafale jets from France’s 5th Fighter Wing, which operates from Orange-Caritat Air Base. The exercise focuses on joint training and improving the ability of the two air forces to operate together.
Read also: Morocco, France Launch CHEBEC 26 Naval Exercise in Toulon
The exercise builds on previous military cooperation between Morocco and France. In June and July 2025, the two countries held the Marathon 25 exercise in Morocco. The French Air and Space Force said that the exercise focused on interoperability and the sharing of air tactics and procedures.
The latest air exercise comes as Morocco and France also expand their military cooperation at sea. The two countries also launched the 33rd edition of the bilateral CHEBEC naval exercise in Toulon on September 14, bringing together the Royal Moroccan Navy and the French Navy for joint maritime training.
CHEBEC 26 focuses on maritime safety and security, operational coordination, and interoperability. The exercise includes training at the Toulon naval base before the participating forces move to maritime operations in the Mediterranean.
According to France’s Mediterranean Maritime Prefecture and Maritime Zone and District Command, the training also includes navigation and maneuvering simulators, firefighting, and damage-control exercises.
