Morocco Signs Aerospace Deals to Boost Industrial Sovereignty
Morocco signed multiple aerospace and defense agreements at the 8th Marrakech Airshow to prioritize domestic manufacturing and engineering over aircraft procurement.
The Government of Morocco signed four agreements and one letter of intent during the opening of the 8th Marrakech Airshow on October 7, 2026. The deals signal a strategic shift toward industrial sovereignty, focusing on domestic engineering and manufacturing rather than the simple procurement of aircraft.
Key industrial initiatives include the establishment of the African Manufacturing Excellence Center (ACME) research platform, a partnership involving Boeing, Airbus, Lockheed Martin, and Safran. In a direct investment, Safran Oil Systems will spend 120 million dirhams, approximately $12 million, to build a factory for aircraft engine lubrication systems, which is expected to create 100 jobs.
To strengthen the local supply chain, the Ministry of Trade and Royal Air Maroc signed a local-sourcing agreement to integrate more Moroccan-made products into the airline's operations. In the defense sector, Morocco partnered with French start-up Harmattan AI to develop counter-drone technology and signed a letter of intent to domestically manufacture the IRIFI, a long-range autonomous strike system.
