Casablanca – King Mohammed VI of Morocco, alongside Crown Prince Moulay El Hassan, presided over the launch ceremony of a new Safran landing gear production facility in Nouaceur on Friday, a project representing a €280 million investment and poised to create 500 jobs. The facility, located within the Midparc integrated aeronautics and space platform, aims to establish Morocco as a key player in the global aerospace supply chain.
The plant will focus on manufacturing landing gear for the Airbus A320, incorporating advanced capabilities in precision machining, assembly, testing, and maintenance. According to a press release, the facility is designed to operate on 100% decarbonised energy, aligning with growing sustainability demands within the aviation industry.
The project underscores Morocco’s growing prominence as an aeronautical hub. Minister of Industry and Trade Ryad Mezzour stated that the Kingdom has, over the past two decades, become a “world-reference aeronautical platform.” Safran has been a partner in this development for over 25 years, supporting the country’s industrial advancement. The new facility will be built on a seven-hectare site and is intended to demonstrate Morocco’s mastery of complex technologies, furthering its integration into global value chains. Mezzour also highlighted the opportunities the project will create for Moroccan youth, with 25,000 already employed in the sector.
Safran Chairman Ross McInnes, referencing the launch of an aircraft engine industrial complex last October under the King’s patronage, emphasized the continuation of the partnership. He stated the new facility will support increased Airbus A320 production and prepare for future aircraft generations. As detailed in a biography on Britannica, Mohammed VI has actively promoted industrial development since ascending to the throne in 1999, initiating reforms aimed at attracting foreign investment and diversifying the Moroccan economy.
The ceremony concluded with the signing of a memorandum of understanding relating to the project. The long-term implications of the investment, and the potential for further expansion of Morocco’s aerospace sector, remain to be seen, with details on supplier integration and future production targets yet to be fully disclosed.
