Editorial – Proving one’s worth

This is a major shift for Morocco within global aerospace value chains.
On February 13, His Majesty the King presided over the presentation and launch ceremony for the Safran Group’s project to build a landing gear production plant in Nouaceur, in the Midparc industrial zone.
The investment of around 3 billion dirhams (more than 280 million euros) aims to establish one of the world’s largest manufacturing units for aircraft landing systems, dedicated in particular to the Airbus A320 family.
Morocco is not a new partner for Safran: the group has been present there for more than 25 years. Today, this operation goes beyond simply expanding a portfolio of foreign investments. It is a strategic bet on the country’s ability to position itself as a credible player in critical technologies. Indeed, landing gear represents the most demanding aspects of aeronautics: high capital intensity, precision machining processes, advanced materials, stringent certifications, and aircraft safety.
Producing these critical components also requires highly specialized and precise skills. The success of the project will depend on the Moroccan education system’s ability to sustainably meet this need and evolve towards engineering and R&D, not just industrial execution.
Morocco currently has major projects on the table and important deadlines to meet. Aeronautics is one of them. Others include automotive, energy, and digital technology. Everywhere, the same question arises: do we want to be an efficient execution site or a major player in design, decision-making, and innovation? Because you don’t enter these segments by chance or by breaking in. You are admitted because you have proven yourself.