Royal Leadership Drives Strategic Industrial Expansion
Under the guidance of King Mohammed VI, and in the presence of Crown Prince Moulay El Hassan, a landmark ceremony was held at the Royal Palace of Casablanca to present and officially launch a major industrial project dedicated to the construction of a landing gear production facility for Safran in the Nouaceur industrial zone. This initiative reflects a broader national strategy aimed at accelerating high-value manufacturing, reinforcing sovereign industrial capabilities, and positioning the Kingdom as a competitive and reliable hub within global aerospace supply chains. The royal presence at the ceremony underscores the strategic importance granted to advanced industry as a driver of economic resilience, technological sovereignty, and sustainable employment generation, while also highlighting Morocco’s continued transition toward sectors defined by precision engineering, innovation, and international integration.
A Landmark Investment Strengthening Morocco’s Global Aerospace Role
The future facility, considered among the most significant production centers worldwide for Safran Landing Systems, represents an investment exceeding EUR 280 million and is expected to generate approximately 500 direct jobs alongside numerous indirect opportunities across supporting industries and services. Located within the integrated aerospace ecosystem of Midparc, the project is designed to operate entirely on decarbonized energy sources, aligning industrial growth with environmental responsibility and long-term sustainability commitments. Beyond its immediate production role, the plant is anticipated to stimulate the attraction of additional suppliers and technology partners, further deepening Morocco’s industrial ecosystem and reinforcing its credibility as a destination capable of hosting complex, high-precision manufacturing programs that meet the rigorous standards of the global aviation sector.
Advanced Capabilities in Precision Engineering and Certification
Once completed, the new site will equip Morocco with cutting-edge competencies spanning precision machining, high-technology assembly, advanced testing procedures, certification processes, and specialized maintenance operations associated with aircraft landing gear systems. These capabilities represent a decisive technological step forward, enabling the local industry to participate in highly specialized stages of aerospace production that demand strict quality assurance, traceability, and engineering excellence. The facility will primarily support programs linked to next-generation single-aisle aircraft platforms produced by Airbus, thereby embedding Moroccan manufacturing directly into one of the most dynamic segments of global commercial aviation. Built according to the highest international standards and equipped with modern, high-performance production technologies, the plant reflects the convergence of industrial efficiency, digitalized processes, and environmentally responsible design principles that characterize contemporary aerospace manufacturing.
Royal Vision and National Industrial Transformation
This project illustrates the sustained attention devoted by the Moroccan sovereign to long-term industrial transformation and economic diversification. Over the past two decades, Morocco has pursued an ambitious strategy centered on developing globally competitive industrial ecosystems, improving infrastructure connectivity, enhancing workforce skills, and fostering partnerships with leading multinational companies. The landing gear factory embodies this vision by translating policy direction into tangible industrial capacity capable of generating skilled employment, technology transfer, and export-oriented value creation. It also signals confidence from international investors in Morocco’s institutional stability, regulatory framework, and logistical advantages, confirming the Kingdom’s emergence as a strategic bridge between Europe, Africa, and broader global markets.
Government Perspective on Aerospace Leadership
According to Ryad Mezzour, Morocco’s aerospace sector has undergone a remarkable transformation within just twenty years, evolving into a globally recognized platform that hosts a dense network of manufacturers, suppliers, engineering centers, and training institutions. He emphasized that the presence of Safran in Morocco for more than twenty-five years has played a decisive role in elevating local industrial standards and accelerating the sector’s technological progression. The establishment of landing gear manufacturing capabilities demonstrates mastery of complex engineering processes and confirms Morocco’s readiness to integrate more deeply into international value chains characterized by high precision and strict certification requirements. Mezzour also highlighted the human capital dimension, noting that tens of thousands of Moroccan professionals are already active in aerospace-related fields, forming a strong foundation for continued sectoral expansion and innovation-driven growth.
Economic Opportunities and Workforce Development
Beyond its technological significance, the project carries substantial socio-economic implications, particularly in terms of employment creation, professional training, and knowledge transfer. The generation of hundreds of direct jobs will be complemented by opportunities in subcontracting, logistics, maintenance, and engineering services, contributing to regional development and industrial diversification. Training programs associated with the facility are expected to enhance local expertise in advanced manufacturing techniques, quality assurance systems, and aerospace certification standards, thereby strengthening Morocco’s long-term competitiveness. The integration of young Moroccan talent into sophisticated industrial environments also supports broader national objectives related to youth employment, skills upgrading, and inclusive economic participation, ensuring that industrial progress translates into tangible societal benefits.
Safran’s Strategic Commitment to Long-Term Partnership
For Safran, the new facility represents both an expansion of its global industrial footprint and a reaffirmation of its enduring partnership with Morocco. Company leadership, including Chairman Ross McInnes, has highlighted the strategic alignment between Morocco’s industrial ambitions and Safran’s long-term growth trajectory in aerospace manufacturing and services. The project follows earlier collaborative milestones, including the launch of major engine-related industrial infrastructure in Morocco, demonstrating a pattern of sustained investment and mutual confidence. By supporting production associated with high-demand aircraft families while preparing for future aviation technologies, the landing gear plant contributes to Safran’s capacity to meet evolving market requirements while simultaneously reinforcing Morocco’s role within global aerospace supply networks.
Sustainability and Decarbonized Industrial Production
A defining feature of the project is its full reliance on decarbonized energy, reflecting a broader commitment to environmentally responsible industrialization. This approach aligns with international climate objectives and illustrates how advanced manufacturing can coexist with sustainable resource management. The integration of energy-efficient systems, optimized production flows, and environmentally conscious infrastructure design positions the facility as a model for future aerospace industrial developments worldwide. By embedding sustainability at the core of industrial expansion, Morocco strengthens its attractiveness to global partners seeking low-carbon production environments and reinforces its reputation as a forward-looking industrial nation capable of balancing economic growth with ecological stewardship.
Strengthening Morocco’s Position in Global Value Chains
The establishment of landing gear manufacturing capabilities marks a decisive step in Morocco’s progression from assembly-focused activities toward higher value-added engineering and production functions. Participation in complex aerospace subsystems enhances the country’s visibility within international supply chains and creates opportunities for further specialization in design, materials science, and advanced maintenance services. This upward movement within the value chain not only increases export potential but also deepens technological learning across the broader industrial ecosystem, encouraging innovation spillovers into adjacent sectors such as automotive manufacturing, precision metallurgy, and advanced electronics.
Formalization of the Project Through Strategic Agreement
The ceremony concluded with the official signing of a memorandum of understanding governing the implementation of the landing gear factory, symbolizing the convergence of royal vision, governmental strategy, and industrial partnership. This agreement establishes the institutional and operational framework required to bring the project to fruition, ensuring coordination among stakeholders and adherence to defined timelines and performance objectives. The signing moment reflects more than administrative procedure; it represents a milestone in Morocco’s continuing journey toward industrial excellence, technological advancement, and deeper integration into the global economy, reinforcing the Kingdom’s ambition to stand among the world’s most dynamic and competitive manufacturing nations.
Source Link:https://www.businesswire.com/
