The Royal Moroccan Air Force (RMAF) and the French Air and Space Force are launching a new round of joint training. Dubbed ORYX26, the bilateral exercise will take place from September 28 to October 2, 2026, at Orange-Caritat Air Base 115 in the Vaucluse department.
The French Air and Space Force told Le360 that the Moroccan detachment arrived at the base on September 23, five days ahead of the first missions. The extra time allowed the Moroccan personnel to settle in, familiarize themselves with the facilities and prepare for joint flights with their French counterparts.
On the Moroccan side, the RMAF is deploying four F-16s and a detachment of around 50 personnel, including pilots, mechanics and support staff. On the French side, Rafale fighter jets and personnel from the 5th Fighter Wing, based in Orange, will take part. Aircraft from both countries will therefore operate in the same airspace, from the base that serves as the French wing’s home station.
One of the F-16s deployed by the Royal Moroccan Air Force. (Image: Forum Far-Maroc/Facebook)
The objective is “to strengthen mutual understanding and interoperability between the French and Moroccan air forces.” Over the five days, the participating crews “will have to plan, carry out and debrief air missions in a realistic tactical environment involving simulated air-to-air and surface-to-air threats.”
According to the French Air and Space Force, ORYX26 follows on from the bilateral Marathon exercise held in Morocco in 2025. From June 23 to July 4 that year, the two air forces conducted the joint exercise between Guelmim and Marrakech.
Five Rafales from the 4th Fighter Wing were deployed for that exercise, supported by an A330 MRTT tanker aircraft based in Marrakech. The crews carried out multiple in-flight refueling operations and close air support missions alongside the Moroccan F-16s.
