Rabat, Morocco – Turkish group Baykar Technologies announced its readiness to launch the production of new-generation military drones in the Moroccan city of Benslimane, located 50 kilometers southeast of Casablanca. This project is part of a strategic agreement signed between the company and the Moroccan government in December 2024. The project aims to strengthen industrial and defense cooperation between the two countries.
According to Moroccan media reports, the factory will begin operating by 2026. It will be dedicated to the manufacture and maintenance of advanced drones for the Royal Moroccan Armed Forces. Plans include the development of systems with greater autonomy and advanced stealth capabilities. Smart weapons will also be integrated, representing a qualitative leap forward in Morocco’s military capabilities.
The factory will be located in the same industrial zone chosen by the American company Lockheed Martin. A maintenance and modernization center will be built for the Moroccan Air Force’s F-16 and C-130 Hercules aircraft. This reflects Morocco’s commitment to developing an integrated national defense system. Morocco seeks to design, produce, and maintain high-tech military equipment locally.
This project is part of Rabat’s strategy to enhance technological and industrial sovereignty. This is being implemented in parallel with existing collaborations with global companies such as Thales and Lockheed Martin. The goal is to develop Moroccan defense capabilities and rely on local production.
