Morocco officially launched its drone manufacturing industry with the inauguration of a new production facility in Marrakech on May 10, 2026. The plant, operated by a joint venture between local firm AeroExpo Maroc and Israeli company BlueBird Aero Systems, will produce tactical drones for both military and civilian applications.
The facility covers 10,000 square meters and is expected to create 500 direct jobs initially, with plans to expand to 1,000 jobs by 2028. Production will focus on the WanderB and ThunderB drone models, which have ranges of up to 100 kilometers and can carry payloads of up to 10 kilograms.
Moroccan Minister of Industry and Trade Ryad Mezzour stated at the inauguration that the project aligns with the country's goal to develop a high-tech industrial sector. The drones will be used for surveillance, agriculture, and disaster response, with exports planned to African and Middle Eastern markets.
This initiative is part of Morocco's broader strategy to boost local manufacturing and reduce imports of defense equipment. The plant's construction began in 2024 and was completed on schedule.
