Safran picks Morocco for second global LEAP-1A production hub
October 15, 2025
Morocco has inaugurated a new Safran aircraft engine complex in Nouaceur, located near Casablanca’s international airport. Nouacer “Midparc” Aerospace City is a five-year corporate tax-exempt zone with 8.75% tax for the next 20 years, and has VAT and duty-free exemptions.
Morocco opens new Safran LEAP-1A engine assembly facility
Moroccan World News claims the opening of the new plant allows the Maghreb country to join the exclusive group of countries assembling complete aircraft engines. That said, the technical know-how remains French, with only the UK, US, France, Russia, and, to an increasing degree, China and, to some extent, Ukraine and Japan being able to develop and produce jet engines from start to finish.
Morocco is now one of five countries where Safran has established engine assembly facilities, making it the second global production site for the CFM International LEAP-1A engine outside of France. It will assemble and test LEAP-1A engines for the Airbus A320neo and A321neo.
The plant will produce up to 350 engines annually by 2028. It also includes facilities for maintaining the engines, to service up to 150 engines annually by 2030.
Nouveau complexe de #Safran : le #Maroc se positionne davantage dans la chaîne de valeur mondiale pic.twitter.com/D05HmXrRAa
— MEDI1TV (@Medi1TV) October 14, 2025
CFM is touted as the world’s most successful aero engine alliance and is a 50/50 joint venture between France’s Safran and the US’s GE Aerospace. The LEAP family exclusively powers the Boeing 737 MAX, the Chinese COMAC C919, and is the most popular option for the A320neo family.
Morocco’s aerospace rise from humble beginnings
Having ballooned 26-fold over the last couple of decades, the aerospace sector now accounts for around 5% of Morocco’s total exports. The sector dates back to 1957 when the nation’s flag carrier airline, Royal Air Maroc, was founded following independence in 1956.
The groundwork for the new Safran facility at Casablanca was laid with Royal Air Maroc choosing it as the site for in-house aircraft servicing. The maintenance centre became a recognised hub for aircraft maintenance in 1998 when it received US FAA Part-145 certification.
Safran (then Snecma) started investing in Morocco between 1999 and 2001. These investments focused on servicing CFM56 engines, the family of engines found on A320ceo, A340, Boeing 737 Classic, Boeing 737 Next Generation, KC-135R tanker, and Douglas DC-8-70 aircraft.
Safran and Boeing established more aerospace manufacturing in Casablanca in 2001. More aerospace companies have since been drawn to the special Nouaceur zone.
Morocco’s aerospace ambitions
Morocco World News says the country plans to have full aircraft assembly capabilities by 2030, with ambitions to fully assemble aircraft domestically. This would start with small aircraft (e.g., trainers, business jets, or regional aircraft) before progressing to larger aircraft.
If realised, this would make Morocco the first country in Africa to boast end-to-end aircraft manufacturing. The country has plans to start manufacturing cabin interiors, while Safran is also looking at producing landing gear components in Morocco.
Separately, Morocco’s neighbour and rival, Algeria, is in an arms race with possibly the world’s largest relative peacetime military budget at 8-9% of GDP.
So, after dust settles:
— George N. (@GeorgeN28581) October 3, 2025
012: Algeria
Consist of:
– 14 Su-34
– contract for 2024-2026
– 12 Su-57
364: Iran
– 48 Su-35
– contract for 2026-2028
Ethiopia is outdated.
Values in money for KRET equipment, not airframes. pic.twitter.com/1JfhFCvruX
Algeria is the only export country known to be purchasing Russia’s stealthy Sukhoi Su-57 Felon. Morocco is known to be interested in purchasing the F-35 Lightning II, and Military Africa has suggested an agreement may be reached soon. If that happens, Morocco will be the first African country to purchase the stealth fighter.
Featured image: Safran Aircraft Engines
