Moroccan F-16s intercept French Rafale jets during military exercise

Moroccan F-16 fighter jets intercepted and escorted two French Rafale F4 aircraft during the Oryx 2026 bilateral aerial military exercise in France. The operation, which took place on September 28, 2026, involved the Moroccan jets being armed with AIM-120 AMRAAM and AIM-9 Sidewinder training missiles and required mid-air refueling.

The interception was conducted as part of the scheduled military training between the two allied nations. Such maneuvers follow established international Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) procedures, which are utilized when an aircraft fails to respond to radio communications or deviates from its flight path.