The visit of French President Emmanuel Macron aims to secure a military deal with Morocco, says French newspaper La Tribune.
Macron’s visit to Morocco at the end of October is expected to further solidify the warming relations between the two North African and European countries.
Amidst this diplomatic thaw, French defense and aerospace companies are eyeing substantial contracts with their Moroccan counterparts.
One of the most significant deals on the table involves Airbus helicopters and a potential sale of between 12 and 18 Caracal helicopters to the Royal Moroccan Armed Forces (FAR).
This contract, estimated to be worth between €600 million and €800 million, would provide a significant boost to Airbus’s facilities in Marignane and Bordes, as well as to Safran Helicopter Engines.
While Airbus seems poised to secure a major helicopter deal, the competition for other defense contracts is proving to be more intense.
In the realm of tactical transport aircraft, Morocco has opted for Embraer’s C-390 Millennium, leaving Airbus’s A400M out of the race.
In the naval domain, Naval Group faces stiff competition from South Korean shipbuilders Hanwha and Hyundai for a contract to supply two submarines and construct a submarine base.
The land domain also presents challenges for French defense companies. While KNDS France has successfully delivered the first batch of Caesar artillery systems to the FAR, the Indian conglomerate Tata is set to establish an assembly plant in Casablanca to produce wheeled armored vehicles for the Moroccan market.
This move could potentially erode the market share of French armored vehicle manufacturers like KNDS France and Arquus.
While France remains a significant defense partner for Morocco, the latter is increasingly diversifying its suppliers and seeking more competitive deals.
The growing influence of Asian defense companies, particularly South Korea, is also challenging the traditional dominance of Western suppliers in the region.
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