France’s Safran is establishing a major landing gear manufacturing facility in Morocco to support Airbus A320 production and strengthen North Africa’s role in global aircraft supply chains, according to Reuters.
The new plant will be built near Casablanca and represents a €280 million investment by Safran Landing Systems, a subsidiary of the French aerospace group. The facility aims to supply landing gear components for short- and medium-haul aircraft, principally the Airbus A320 family, and is scheduled to begin operations in 2029.
This move underscores Morocco’s expanding status as a key hub in aircraft manufacturing and the broader aircraft manufacturing Morocco ecosystem. Government and industry stakeholders believe the project will deliver hundreds of jobs and deeper integration into aerospace value chains.
Strategic Facility to Support Airbus A320 Production
The deal was formalized on 13 February 2026 in a ceremony in Rabat, chaired by King Mohammed VI of Morocco alongside Safran executives. The new factory will specialize in landing gear systems and hydraulic components, featuring advanced machining, assembly, and testing capabilities for Airbus’s widely used A320 aircraft.
Morocco’s Growing Role in Aerospace Manufacturing
The landing gear plant is not an isolated investment but part of a broader strategy to position Morocco as a major aerospace hub. The project complements recent agreements to establish an aircraft engine assembly line and a maintenance facility in the same industrial region.
Industry officials and analysts note that Morocco’s aerospace cluster already hosts tens of thousands of workers and multiple global suppliers. Local authorities emphasize the importance of sustained foreign direct investment to create high-value jobs and technology transfer opportunities in aircraft manufacturing Morocco.
Why This Matters for Airbus and the Global Supply Chain
The Airbus A320 family remains one of the world’s best-selling commercial aircraft series, with production rates climbing to meet airline demand. By locating a landing gear manufacturing site closer to key markets and final assembly regions, Safran aims to enhance supply chain resilience and reduce lead times.
According to industry market research, the global aircraft landing gear market value is expanding rapidly, driven by increased aircraft deliveries and innovation in lightweight, high-performance systems — further validating the strategic timing of the investment.
What’s Next? Industry Outlook
- Scale-Up & Talent Development: Safran and Moroccan authorities are expected to roll out workforce training initiatives to support high-precision manufacturing roles.
- Expanded Aerospace Cluster: Complementary investments in engine assembly, MRO services, and parts manufacturing could attract additional OEMs and Tier-1 suppliers to the region.
- Supply Chain Impact: Airbus and its partners may see improved stability in parts sourcing and production efficiency as localized manufacturing ramps up.
Sources
- Reuters: Safran to open landing gear plant in Morocco
- Safran: Safran establishes a new landing gear facility in Morocco
- Business Insider Africa:France’s Safran to open a €280 million landing gear plant in Morocco to support Airbus production
- The National: France’s Safran to open $332m aircraft landing gear plant in Morocco
