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Doha – Morocco has officially joined the global production chain for the latest generation of F-16 fighter jets. A major industrial project for manufacturing and assembling structures for these aircraft will soon be established in the Midparc industrial zone in Nouaceur, near Casablanca.
The United States has formally authorized Morocco to receive defense equipment, technical data, and specialized services for manufacturing F-16 components, according to a notification published by the US State Department’s Bureau of Political-Military Affairs in the Federal Register on April 29.
This authorization falls under the Arms Export Control Act and involves a technology transfer program valued at over $50 million.
The planned industrial site will focus on producing key components for the F-16, particularly the advanced F-16V “Viper” version, equipped with AESA radar systems and sophisticated weaponry. This model remains one of the most widely used multi-role aircraft worldwide.
The Moroccan facility will feature high-precision production lines employing advanced technologies, with the participation of locally trained engineers and technicians in aeronautical fields.
This project strengthens the growing strategic partnership between Rabat and Washington in the military domain. Lockheed Martin, the F-16 manufacturer, has already increased its initiatives in Morocco.
A high-level delegation from the American company, led by General Joseph Rank, CEO of Lockheed Martin for Africa and Saudi Arabia, visited Morocco in late April.
The delegation met with officials in Rabat and toured several industrial partners in Casablanca, including TDM Maroc, SABCA Maroc, Collins Aerospace RFM, and Exellia Maroc.
The US defense giant’s relationship with Morocco dates back to 1974 when it delivered the first C-130H aircraft to the Royal Moroccan Air Force. Since then, the partnership has evolved to include the supply of F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft, Sikorsky helicopters, and radar systems.
Today, Morocco is a major F-16 client in the region. The North African country has ordered 24 F-16 Viper (Block 70/72) fighters, the most advanced version of Lockheed Martin’s famous aircraft, with first deliveries expected before 2026. Simultaneously, it is upgrading its current F-16 fleet to the Viper standard.
These new aircraft will be equipped with cutting-edge technologies, including the AN/APG-83 AESA radar, known for its resistance to electronic jamming, and the Viper Shield electronic warfare system developed by L3Harris Technologies.
Beyond Morocco, other strategic US partners included in the F-16 production authorization list are Italy, South Korea, Turkiye, and the United Arab Emirates.
The project aligns with Morocco’s ambitious modernization program for its Royal Air Force. According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), Morocco’s military spending increased by 2.6% in 2024, reaching $5.5 billion.
The integration of Morocco into the F-16 industrial chain reinforces choices made since the signing of several defense agreements with the United States in 2018, which established the foundation for a deeper strategic partnership.
A bilateral roadmap for 2020-2030 aims to deepen this military and technological cooperation.
The Nouaceur project is expected to create hundreds of direct and indirect jobs, strengthen the local industrial base, and establish Morocco as a strategic player in Lockheed Martin’s global supply chain.
It comes as the country increasingly attracts major defense industry players such as Baykar (Turkiye), BlueBird (Israel), and Tata Systems (India), consolidating its position as an emerging regional hub in this sector.
Although the majority of reports confirm the F-16 news, some sources indicate otherwise.
According to specialists from the FAR-Maroc forum, these announcements might be premature. They claim there is currently no F-16 assembly project in Morocco, suggesting the news stems from misinterpreted American procurement documents.
The experts assert that current cooperation with Lockheed Martin is limited to maintenance and repair facilities for F-16 and C-130 aircraft, though potential expansion through industrial offset agreements remains possible.
The forum cautions against speculation, noting similar unconfirmed reports regarding projects with Brazilian aerospace company Embraer that have yet to materialize into concrete industrial ventures.
Read also: Will Morocco Become First Arab, African Nation to Acquire the F-35?
