South Korea Courts Morocco With Local Partnerships to Replace Its Alpha Jets

In Marrakech, the South Koreans did more than just present their aircraft. On Thursday, October 8, Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) signed a memorandum of understanding with Maintenance Aero Maroc (MAM) and SABCA Maroc. The manufacturer is looking to establish a foothold in Morocco’s aerospace industry, with a specific goal: persuading the Royal Moroccan Air Force to choose its aircraft to train its future fighter pilots.

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Both partners are already familiar with the sector. Maintenance Aero Maroc specializes in the maintenance, repair and modernization of military aircraft, while SABCA Maroc is involved in, among other things, assembling aerospace structures. Their partnership with KAI is intended to explore opportunities for commercial and industrial cooperation directly in Morocco.

In its official announcement on October 8, MAM said the discussions particularly concern the T-50, a supersonic trainer aircraft. But the document sets out no delivery schedule, number of aircraft or financial amount. For now, the three companies have committed to exploring the possibility of a partnership.

South Korea wants to replace Morocco’s training aircraft

The industrial push accompanies a commercial effort already under way. Morocco is seeking to replace its Alpha Jets, which have been used to train its pilots for more than forty years. KAI is offering the T-50 family, which includes the FA-50, a version capable of both advanced training and light combat missions.

To attract the attention of the Moroccan military, the manufacturer reserved a space dedicated specifically to the FA-50 at the Marrakech Air Show, held from October 7 to 10. According to South Korean daily The Asia Business Daily, KAI’s stand was visited by Abdeltif Loudiyi, minister delegate in charge of the National Defence Administration, as well as senior officials from the Royal Armed Forces and the Royal Moroccan Air Force.

The South Korean group points to its export experience, particularly in Poland, the Philippines and Thailand. Its vice president, Kim Yong-min, sees the Marrakech show as an opportunity to present the performance of its aircraft and their operational experience abroad directly to Moroccan officials.

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MAM’s selection as a partner is no coincidence. The company is already involved in developing a military maintenance center in Benslimane, intended in particular for C-130s and F-16s. KAI could therefore draw on local industrial expertise rather than simply offering aircraft manufactured in South Korea.

One decisive step remains: securing a purchase contract. No Moroccan purchase of T-50 or FA-50 aircraft has been announced. Nevertheless, in Marrakech, the South Korean manufacturer has moved forward by officially bringing two companies based in the Kingdom into its commercial effort.