Morocco, Pakistan pursue defense cooperation as Rabat expands military industry
Strategic partnership to cover joint manufacturing, training, and technology exchange
RABAT, Morocco (MNTV) — Morocco and Pakistan are moving toward formalizing a defense cooperation agreement aimed at enhancing collaboration in military manufacturing, technological development, and professional training, as Rabat accelerates efforts to build a robust national defense industry.
According to regional media reports, the proposed agreement will include joint production initiatives and increased military-to-military engagement through training exchanges and knowledge-sharing.
The initiative is part of Morocco’s broader strategy to diversify its defense partnerships and strengthen its self-reliance in the security sector.
In recent years, Morocco has launched an ambitious drive to localize defense production by leveraging its industrial strengths in the automotive and aerospace sectors.
The country’s defense strategy focuses on fostering “mutually beneficial” partnerships to attract foreign direct investment and cutting-edge military technology.
In January 2025, Turkish defense firm Baykar announced plans to establish a manufacturing facility in Morocco dedicated to producing unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), positioning the Kingdom as a key player in drone production in Africa.
This followed a September 2024 agreement between Morocco and India’s TATA Advanced Systems, which saw the construction of a plant to manufacture WhAP 8×8 armored vehicles for the Royal Armed Forces.
Other global defense companies have also shown growing interest in Morocco’s expanding industrial base.
Israeli firm Bluebird has unveiled plans to launch a local production site for its unmanned aerial systems amid ongoing Gaza genocide by Israel, for which the country is facing mounting international pressure.
These investments signal Morocco’s emergence as a regional defense manufacturing hub, attracting major defense players from across Asia, Europe, and the Americas.
The deepening ties with Pakistan—known for its established defense production capabilities—are expected to further boost Morocco’s technical capacity and contribute to its long-term goal of becoming a producer rather than an importer of military equipment.
The evolving partnership also reflects Rabat’s strategic vision of reinforcing South-South cooperation and positioning itself as a regional leader in defense innovation and industrial modernization.
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