Morocco expands drone industry with local production

CASABLANCA, Morocco (MNTV) – Morocco is strengthening its position in the global drone industry as it develops domestic unmanned aerial vehicle production capabilities and attracts partnerships with international defense companies.

The Benslimane industrial zone near Casablanca has emerged as a center for drone manufacturing, hosting projects involving Moroccan firms as well as foreign manufacturers from Türkiye, France, Israel and the United Kingdom.

Morocco has invested heavily in building a national drone sector, with local companies such as Aerodrive Engineering Services working alongside international partners to expand production capacity.

In 2025, Moroccan authorities approved licenses for 10 drone-related projects valued at more than $260 million. Officials said the goal is to create a domestic defense industry capable of supplying national security needs and producing systems for export.

The country has also been selected as a regional training center for drone operations involving African militaries during Exercise African Lion 2026. The facility is expected to support operational analysis and the development of electronic warfare capabilities.

Analysts say Morocco’s growing drone ambitions build on its existing aerospace industry, which has developed through cooperation with major global companies.

Morocco strengthened its drone fleet after signing a $70 million agreement in 2021 to purchase Bayraktar TB2 drones from Türkiye’s Baykar. The country later acquired additional systems, including the advanced Akinci drone.

Baykar’s expansion into Morocco is expected to improve access to African markets by allowing faster delivery of unmanned systems to regional customers.

Meanwhile, Moroccan company Aerodrive Engineering Services introduced the Atlas Istar drone in 2024, becoming the first domestically developed military drone platform in the country.

The company plans to produce hundreds of one-way attack drones at the Benslimane facility beginning in 2027, while focusing on intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities.

Experts say developing local drone production could help Morocco reduce reliance on foreign suppliers, strengthen its defense independence and increase its influence in regional security affairs.