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Doha – To bolster its five-decade presence in Morocco, Lockheed Martin executives conducted site visits to key industrial facilities, marking the company’s latest push to expand its defense manufacturing operations in the North African country.
Led by Tim Cahill, President of Missiles and Fire Control, and Joseph Rank, Chief Executive for Africa and Saudi Arabia, the delegation toured aerospace facilities in Tangiers today – including long-time partner Eaton-Souriau Tangiers and potential collaborator Ausare of the Mecachrome Group.
The visit, coordinated with the Moroccan Agency for Investment and Export Development (AMDIE), follows the company’s participation in the Marrakesh International Airshow held from October 30 to November 2.
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.
“Lockheed Martin’s long history of collaboration with Morocco reflects our shared commitment to advancing defense capabilities, fostering local industrial growth and creating new economic opportunities,” Cahill said during the visit.
A significant development in this partnership occurred in 2022 with the establishment of Maintenance Aero Maroc (MAM), a joint venture focusing on Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul services for F-16 and C-130H fleets operating in Morocco and the region.
Eaton-Souriau Tangiers, which has been part of Lockheed Martin’s supply chain for nearly 20 years, manufactures crucial aerospace components for the company’s defense systems, contributing to Morocco’s growing aerospace manufacturing sector.
In a separate development earlier this year, the US Department of Defense awarded Lockheed Martin a $227 million contract to supply ATACMS (Army Tactical Missile System) to Morocco, along with Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Poland.
The tactical surface-to-surface missiles, with a range of up to 300 kilometers and 10-meter precision, are scheduled for delivery by December 30, 2028.
This contract follows Morocco’s recent acquisition of HIMARS missile systems worth approximately $524 million. The Royal Moroccan Armed Forces are also awaiting delivery of their first F-16 Block 72 aircraft, expected by early 2027.
