Turkish Defense Company Baykar Establishes Moroccan Subsidiary to Manufacture and Sell Drones
The Turkish defense company Baykar has set up a subsidiary in Morocco to manufacture, sell, and maintain drones. The subsidiary, named Atlas Defense, has a capital of 2.5 million dirhams and is based in Rabat.
Morocco Aims to Develop Advanced Defense Industry
The Kingdom is seeking to develop a defense industry, replicating the experience of the automotive and aerospace industries, which injected over $16.3 billion in foreign exchange into the country in 2024, creating hundreds of thousands of jobs. In 2020, it adopted a law allowing for the local production of defense and security equipment, arms, and ammunition. In November 2024, the government approved a corporate tax exemption for investments in this field for the first five years, aiming to attract foreign investments. Through these measures, Morocco aims to develop the foundations of an advanced defense industry that plays a role in economic development and gradually achieves independence in the military field.
Industrial Zones Established for Defense Projects
The authorities created, for the first time, in June 2023, two industrial zones for investment projects related to defense equipment and machinery, weapons systems, and ammunition. Morocco has allocated over $13 billion for the purchase and repair of military equipment in 2025 and to support the development of the defense industry.
Morocco Strengthens Military Arsenal with Drones
In recent years, the country has reinforced its military air power with dozens of drones, including the Bayraktar TB2, a key element of its military system. It purchased 13 drones of this type in 2021. Last year, the Turkish company announced the delivery of a new batch of drones to Morocco, without revealing the value of the transaction. Now, Algeria's reaction is awaited.
