France May Help Morocco Build Its Own Arms Industry
Confidential agreements between Paris and Rabat could go well beyond arms sales. They would enable Morocco to produce equipment using French technology, acquire industrial know-how and export some systems to Africa.
The existence of these agreements was reported on September 28 by Escudo Digital. The Spanish specialist outlet, citing sources familiar with contracts concluded with the French defense industry, reports confidential framework agreements for military co-production.
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These agreements would pave the way for the manufacture in Morocco of armored vehicles and radar systems using French technology. The contracts would cover not only the purchase of equipment, but also manufacturing licenses, training for Moroccan personnel, technology transfers and industrial offsets.
French companies could also set up in Morocco’s new defense industrial zones. Some contracts would provide for the creation of research and development capabilities in Morocco, particularly in cybersecurity and military robotics.
However, Escudo Digital has published no contracts or excerpts from these agreements. The clauses detailed by the outlet are based on its sources and have not been made public by Paris or Rabat.
Harmattan AI already illustrates the model
Part of this strategy is already officially underway. On June 17, French company Harmattan AI announced a strategic partnership with the Royal Armed Forces.
The agreement provides for the creation in Morocco of manufacturing capabilities for autonomous defense systems, a research center devoted to military artificial intelligence, and partnerships with Moroccan higher education institutions.
Harmattan AI is now preparing to establish its industrial operations. The company is recruiting in Rabat for a manager tasked with building and overseeing its production operations for Africa and the Middle East. This industrial organization based in Morocco had already been reported by Bladi.net.
The company also has the backing of Dassault Aviation, which led a $200 million funding round in January. This connection gives its establishment in Morocco added significance, as Rabat seeks to build its own military industry.
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The most strategic clause reported by Escudo Digital concerns exports. Some equipment assembled in Morocco under French license could be sold to countries in sub-Saharan Africa. The kingdom would then become not only a customer of the French defense industry, but also its production and sales hub on the continent.
