Strengthening Ties: Lockheed Martin's Commitment to Morocco
Lockheed Martin, the renowned American aerospace and defense company, is actively seeking to enhance its industrial collaboration with Morocco by integrating Moroccan firms into its supply chain. This initiative aims to explore opportunities for cooperation in future defense programs, as announced by the company itself. Steve Sheehy, the Vice President of International Business Development for Lockheed Martin Aeronautics, emphasized that a key objective is to identify Moroccan suppliers equipped with the necessary expertise to contribute to both current and upcoming programs. He remarked, 'For over 50 years, we have worked alongside Morocco to meet its defense requirements. As this partnership evolves, we want Moroccan companies to play an increasingly significant role in our global supply chain.'
Participation in Marrakech Air Show and Future Prospects
Lockheed Martin is set to participate as a Platinum Sponsor at the Marrakech Air Show, a premier event in the aerospace and aviation industry taking place from October 7 to 10 in the southern Moroccan city. The show will feature around 200 exhibitors from over twenty countries, including major international corporations such as Airbus, Boeing, Safran, and Thales. The American company plans to showcase a cockpit demonstrator of the F-35 fighter jet, along with models of its F-35A, F-16, and C-130J Super Hercules aircraft. Additionally, the U.S. Air Force's C-130J military transport plane and several F-16s from the Royal Moroccan Air Forces will be present at the event. The inclusion of the C-130J will facilitate discussions regarding the future of Morocco's tactical airlift fleet.
Moreover, Lockheed Martin will introduce the Javelin missile, the HIMARS system, and models of the PAC-3 MSE and ER GMLRS systems, which are expected to support discussions on aerial capabilities, precision fires, and air and missile defense. The relationship between Lockheed Martin and Morocco dates back to 1974, encompassing the F-16 and C-130 programs along with maintenance and industrial development projects. Since 2022, the company, in collaboration with Sabena Engineering and Moroccan partners, has been involved in the 'Maintenance Aéro Maroc (MAM)' project, which is constructing an 8,000-square-meter hangar in Benslimane, south of Casablanca, dedicated to the maintenance and modernization of C-130s, with future plans to extend these services to F-16s.
As reported by elperiodico.com.
