French aerospace giant Safran has announced plans to invest €200 million in a new engine assembly line in Morocco, marking a major expansion of its global manufacturing network. The facility, to be built near Casablanca, will assemble LEAP-1A engines for Airbus aircraft and is expected to become operational by 2028. Once fully operational, the plant will produce up to 350 engines annually, accounting for about a quarter of Safran’s Airbus-related output, as reported by Reuters.
The investment also includes the establishment of a maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) center designed to service up to 150 engines per year, with operations set to begin in 2027. The move reinforces Morocco’s growing reputation as a competitive hub for aerospace manufacturing. The Moroccan government has actively courted international investors with tax incentives and infrastructure support to position the country as Africa’s leading aerospace destination, Reuters noted.
Safran CEO Olivier Andriès said the decision to locate the project in Morocco reflects the country’s “economic stability, industrial maturity, and access to a highly skilled workforce.” He added that the expansion aligns with the company’s broader strategy to “build supply chain resilience and strengthen production capacity” amid rising global demand for Airbus aircraft. Safran’s partnership with GE Aerospace through CFM International will also benefit from the new facility, as stated in a company release on Safran Group’s official website.
The project is projected to create 300 direct jobs at the assembly line and an additional 600 positions by 2030 at the MRO center. The Moroccan government has launched training initiatives to prepare over 10,000 aerospace professionals by the end of the decade. Industry analysts believe Safran’s expansion will boost Morocco’s aerospace exports and enhance its standing as a strategic manufacturing partner in the global aviation supply chain, as highlighted by Safran Group and Reuters.
