Made in Morocco" F-16s? The crazy project with India to transform Ben Guerir into a military hub!

The Royal Armed Forces (FAR) are partnering with the Indian company Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) to create a large-scale aerospace industrial unit. Located near the Ben Guerir air base, this site will focus on the assembly, maintenance, and modernization of fighter jets, particularly the F-16. This cooperation is based on a technology transfer aimed at strengthening the production capabilities of the Moroccan defense industry.

On Bladi.net: Maintenance of F-16s and production of 58 Tejas aircraft: the details of the mega-project in Morocco

The operational schedule plans for the start of activities as early as 2027, with full capacity expected by 2028. The project also includes training programs for Moroccan engineers to nationalize technical expertise in military aviation. The goal is to reduce the country’s dependence on external partners while, in the long term, paving the way for potential military equipment exports.

This rapprochement confirms the importance of India as a strategic partner for Rabat. This aerospace unit follows the opening of a Tata factory in Berrechid for the production of armored vehicles, the first Indian defense installation outside its borders. At the same time, New Delhi has decided to open a military attaché office at its embassy in Morocco to expand their cooperation in cybersecurity and the fight against terrorism.

On Bladi.net: Tata Advanced Systems is stepping up a gear: military "Made in Morocco" is expanding

The Kingdom is seeking to adopt the Indian model based on self-sufficiency in military manufacturing. Drawing on India’s experience, whose defense exports reach $14 billion, Morocco aims to diversify its partners while ensuring its autonomy. This legal framework for cooperation allows for the production of increasingly complex equipment on national soil, after armored vehicles.