King Mohammed VI Launches Safran's Aircraft Engine Industrial Complex in Nouaceur

King Mohammed VI inaugurated the Safran aircraft engine industrial complex in Nouaceur, which will be located within the integrated industrial platform dedicated to aerospace and space professions, known as "Midparc." This complex includes an assembly and testing plant for Safran's aircraft engines and a facility for maintenance and repair of the next-generation LEAP (Leading Edge Aviation Propulsion) engines. These two new, high-performance, innovative, and sustainable sites represent more than just an industrial investment; they strengthen the exceptional partnership between Safran and Morocco. They also demonstrate the firm commitment of His Majesty the King to elevate the aerospace sector to the highest levels of technological competitiveness. At the beginning of the ceremony, an institutional film was shown, highlighting the development of Morocco's aerospace sector over recent years, thanks to bold reforms and structural initiatives led by the Sovereign. During the event, the Minister of Industry and Trade, Mr. Ryad Mezzour, addressed the Sovereign, stating that under the King's enlightened vision, Morocco has become a key global destination in high-tech sectors. He noted that in less than two decades, the Kingdom has built a world-class aerospace industry, with export revenues soaring from less than one billion dirhams in 2004 to over 26 billion dirhams in 2024. Mr. Mezzour emphasized that the aerospace sector now includes over 150 players, including major global operators, showcasing Morocco's industrial expertise. He also highlighted that Safran, a historical partner of the Kingdom for 25 years, is renewing its confidence in Morocco through the establishment of a world-class integrated assembly, testing, maintenance, and repair complex for aircraft engines. The maintenance and repair facility, with an investment of 1.3 billion dirhams, will have the capacity to maintain 150 engines per year and create 600 direct jobs by 2030. Additionally, an assembly and testing plant for LEAP-1A engines, which equip Airbus A320 Neo aircraft, will be developed. This investment of 2.1 billion dirhams will generate 300 highly skilled jobs by 2029. As the second production site for the LEAP-1A engine globally, this project will firmly anchor Morocco in the global aerospace engine value chain and attract new equipment manufacturers to the national ecosystem. The Minister noted that the aerospace industry prioritizes creating sustainable and qualified jobs for youth. Mr. Ross McInnes, Chairman of the Board of Safran, emphasized the significance of the King's presence at the ceremony, highlighting the Sovereign's commitment to the Kingdom's industrial development and the exemplary investment environment he promotes through a bold and forward-looking vision. He affirmed that Safran "does not produce in Morocco but with Morocco," recognizing the country as strategically important for the group. Mr. Olivier Andriès, CEO of Safran, stated that the decision to establish the new aircraft engine complex in Morocco was not coincidental. He pointed out that the group chose a country with talent, modern infrastructure, and a stable macroeconomic framework. He added that the projects represent an investment of over 350 million euros and will create thousands of jobs for the entire aerospace ecosystem in the Kingdom. Following this, King Mohammed VI presided over the signing ceremony of three agreements. The first was a memorandum of understanding formalizing the commitments of both partners, the State and Safran, for the establishment of the assembly and testing plant. It was signed by Mr. Ryad Mezzour, Mr. Karim Zidane, Minister Delegate to the Head of Government for Investment, Convergence, and Public Policy Evaluation, and Mr. Olivier Andriès. The second agreement was a memorandum of understanding regarding the supply of renewable energy to Safran's sites, signed by Mr. Abdelouafi Laftit, Minister of the Interior, Mr. Ryad Mezzour, Mr. Mohamed Ouhmed, Secretary General of the Department of Energy Transition, and others. The third agreement was for the establishment of the assembly and testing plant at Midparc, signed by Mr. Khalid Safir, Director General of the Caisse de Dépôt et de Gestion, Mr. Stéphane Cueille, President of Safran Aircraft Engines, and others. The ceremony concluded with the unveiling of the LEAP-1A aircraft engine, a next-generation engine featuring advanced materials and manufacturing processes. King Mohammed VI also posed for a commemorative photo with a group of young trainees at the Institute of Aeronautical Professions (IMA) in Nouaceur, who will join the future aircraft engine maintenance facility, before launching the construction of the Safran industrial complex. As the world's leading manufacturer of short and medium-haul aircraft engines and the third-largest aerospace player outside of airframers, Safran is reinforcing its presence in Morocco, where it has been established for 25 years. This reflects the strengthening of Morocco's aerospace base, built through the visionary leadership of His Majesty King Mohammed VI.