Morocco Boosts Air Force with KC-390 Aircraft and African Maintenance Hub

Nicknamed Embraer’s “black jewel,” this twin-engine, multirole aircraft stands out for its exceptional operational versatility. It can carry 26 tonnes of cargo, including medium-sized armored vehicles or helicopters, or rapidly deploy up to 80 fully equipped soldiers. Capable of landing on sandy or unprepared runways, it reaches a speed of 870 km/h and also serves as an aerial tanker, drastically reducing deployment times compared with traditional military fleets.

Military aviation: Morocco poised to become Africa’s maintenance hub

Beyond strengthening capabilities, this contract aims to localize part of the production on Moroccan territory. The memorandum of understanding provides for the integration of local suppliers into the manufacturer’s global production chain and the creation of a regional maintenance center dedicated to the African continent. This technology transfer will be accompanied by the training of Moroccan engineers in digital defense systems, reinforcing the Kingdom’s ambition to establish itself as a sovereign industrial hub.