Morocco Aims to Boost Domestic Defense Industry, Reduce Arms Imports

For several years, Morocco has diversified its suppliers of weapons and military equipment in order to fully meet the needs of the Royal Armed Forces. With a view to empowerment, the kingdom has adopted a strategy aimed at promoting direct investments in the military industry sector and promoting the transfer of technologies to national players, Loudiyi said during the examination of the annex budget of the National Defense at the House of Representatives.

Morocco has taken a giant step towards the creation of a defense industry with the entry into force of Law No. 10.20 relating to defense and security equipment, weapons and ammunition, added the delegated minister, stressing the need to establish solid foundations for a modern defense industry in Morocco.

To encourage investment in the sector, the 2024 finance bill has proposed to grant tax exemptions to companies operating in this sector, facilitating the transfer of equipment and weapons, military materials, machines and ammunition, Loudiyi said, also recalling the issuance of Decree No. 2.23.925 establishing two industrial acceleration zones for defense, dedicated to investment projects in the field of the defense industry.

These two zones will host projects for the manufacture of defense and security equipment and materials, the production of weapon systems, the manufacture of ammunition, as well as other projects related to defense activities, added the official, specifying that they contribute to strengthening the kingdom’s autonomy in terms of defense and reducing its imports of weapons, ammunition, vehicles, and other military equipment.