Casablanca – In a move that underscores its long-standing partnership with Morocco, American defense and aerospace giant Lockheed Martin has announced an ambitious plan to expand its presence in the Kingdom. This initiative aligns with Morocco’s growing role as a regional hub for defense manufacturing and reflects the deepening of military and industrial cooperation between Rabat and Washington.
A 50-year partnership evolving with new purpose
Lockheed Martin’s collaboration with Morocco dates back to 1974, when the Royal Moroccan Air Force received its first C-130H Hercules aircraft. Over the years, the partnership has grown to include the supply of F-16 Fighting Falcons, Sikorsky helicopters, and advanced radar and missile systems, marking Morocco as one of the company’s strategic defense clients in the region.
With Morocco increasingly focused on building a self-reliant and innovative defense industry, Lockheed Martin has responded by expanding its industrial footprint within the country, strengthening local partnerships, and committing to technology transfer and workforce development.
A vision for local empowerment and advanced manufacturing
As part of its latest initiative, Lockheed Martin plans to establish a permanent office in Morocco, a first for the company in North Africa. This presence is intended to facilitate long-term collaboration with Moroccan defense authorities and local industry players.
In 2022, the company launched Maintenance Aero Maroc (MAM)—a joint venture with Moroccan partners aimed at delivering maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) services for F-16 and C-130H aircraft. Though still in early stages, MAM represents a critical step toward Morocco’s goal of developing a local defense maintenance ecosystem.
More recently, Lockheed Martin executives, including Joseph Rank, CEO for Africa and Saudi Arabia, and Tim Cahill, Head of Missiles and Fire Control, led a high-level delegation to Morocco. In partnership with the Moroccan Agency for Investment and Export Development (AMDIE), the team visited key aerospace and defense facilities in Tangiers and Casablanca, including Eaton-Souriau Tanger, Ausare-Mecachrome, TDM Maroc, SABCA Maroc, and Collins Aerospace.
These site visits aimed to identify new industrial opportunities, strengthen supply chain integration, and scale up local content within Lockheed Martin’s global production network.
Driving economic growth alongside national security
Lockheed Martin’s expansion in Morocco goes beyond defense—it is also expected to generate high-value jobs, boost local innovation, and contribute to the development of a competitive high-tech sector. By supporting Morocco’s Law No. 10.20 on defense and security equipment, the company is helping lay the groundwork for a robust domestic defense industry.
In a statement, Joseph Rank emphasized the mutual benefits of the partnership:
“Our enduring relationship with Morocco reflects our shared commitment to innovation, security, and economic progress. As we deepen our collaboration, we aim to enhance Morocco’s defense capabilities while supporting industrial growth and workforce development.”
A platform for regional leadership
Lockheed Martin’s latest projects, including a $227 million deal for ATACMS missile systems, highlight Morocco’s rising strategic importance in North Africa. The Kingdom is being positioned as a logistical and industrial hub for defense operations across the region, supported by U.S. policy shifts favoring stronger security partnerships in Africa.
As the defense and aerospace landscape evolves, Lockheed Martin’s expanded footprint in Morocco signals a new era in U.S.-Moroccan relations, rooted in shared security interests and a vision of sustainable industrial development.
