The French aerospace, defense, and space group, Safran, publicly listed in Paris and renowned for its engines and equipment, made a significant announcement on September 7. The company will be showcasing an impressive array of products at the upcoming Marrakech Airshow, scheduled to take place from October 7 to 10 at the Royal Moroccan Air Force base in Marrakech. This exhibition will feature the Makila helicopter engine, the Euroflir 410 airborne optronic system, electric harnesses designed for harsh environments, and the civil LEAP-1B engine. These four product families will highlight Safran’s advancements in propulsion systems, military observation technologies, and aerospace electrical systems at their stand, E2.
The exhibition will present a unique blend of equipment from vastly different markets. The Euroflir 410 is part of Safran Electronics & Defense's surveillance, reconnaissance, and target designation systems. The Makila engine is designed for heavy civil and military helicopters, while the electric harnesses cater to a segment in which Safran has already established significant capabilities in Morocco. The LEAP-1B engine, produced by CFM International, exclusively powers the Boeing 737 MAX aircraft, showcasing Safran's role in cutting-edge aviation technology.
This event in Marrakech will follow just a few months after Safran's announcement of a major industrial investment in Morocco. On February 13, the company revealed plans for a landing gear systems factory valued at over 280 million euros (approximately 3.03 billion dirhams), which will occupy 26,000 square meters in the Casablanca airport area. This new facility is expected to create nearly 500 jobs and is projected to commence operations by 2029. Additionally, recruitment for Safran's future LEAP engine assembly workshop in Casablanca has been ongoing, with industrial management positions being advertised in the summer of 2026.
Advanced Military Technology on Display
Among the featured equipment at Marrakech, the Euroflir 410 represents the most directly military-related system. This optronic ball can integrate up to ten video and laser sensors and operates across four spectral bands, from visible light to medium infrared. Safran offers various configurations of the Euroflir 410 for surveillance, marking, and target designation, with the latter incorporating the necessary laser coding for weapon guidance. The manufacturer proudly claims that Euroflir 410 technology is fully developed in-house and is not subject to the U.S. International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) that govern military equipment exports.
In addition to the Euroflir 410, the Makila engine will also feature prominently in the military segment of the presentation. Designed for heavy helicopters ranging from nine to twelve tons, the Makila engine delivers between 1,800 and 2,100 shaft horsepower and can achieve up to 4,000 operating hours between overhauls. Safran reports over twelve million cumulative operating hours for the Makila family of engines, which includes the Makila 1 model powering Airbus Helicopters' Puma, Super Puma, and Cougar helicopters, and the Makila 2A and 2A1 variants that serve the H225 and H225M Caracal helicopters. This engine family is employed for a variety of missions, including transport, military operations, rescue missions, and flying in severe conditions.
Civil Aviation Innovations in Casablanca
The LEAP-1B showcased at the Marrakech Airshow represents the civil aviation aspect of Safran's portfolio. Manufactured by CFM International, a joint venture equally owned by Safran Aircraft Engines and GE Aerospace, the LEAP-1B serves as the exclusive powerplant for the Boeing 737 MAX family. With a maximum takeoff thrust of 124.5 kilonewtons, Safran estimates a 15% reduction in fuel consumption and carbon dioxide emissions compared to engines from the previous generation.
At Casablanca, the future assembly line will focus on another variant, the LEAP-1A, which is intended for the Airbus A320neo. Announced in October 2025 and currently in the team-building phase, this assembly line aims to achieve an annual capacity of 350 engines starting in 2027. Furthermore, Safran is also establishing a maintenance and repair workshop for LEAP engines, designed to handle 150 engines per year and create nearly 600 jobs in total. Therefore, these two facilities will distinctly bolster both assembly and maintenance operations for the family of engines produced by CFM International in Casablanca.
Currently, Safran employs over 5,500 individuals across ten sites in Morocco. In Nouaceur, Matis Aerospace, a joint venture between Safran Electrical & Power and Boeing, provides approximately 150,000 wiring harnesses annually for Boeing, Airbus, and Dassault, along with harnesses for LEAP, CFM56, and GE90 engines. Safran Electrical & Power Morocco operates one of the group's largest factories dedicated to aerospace harnesses in Rabat-Aïn Atiq, while Nouaceur also hosts production of nacelles and composite subassemblies. The equipment slated for display in Marrakech and the dates of the airshow have been confirmed by Safran. The investment exceeding 280 million euros, the 26,000 square meters, the 2029 timeline, and the nearly 500 jobs stem from the group's announcement made on February 13, 2026. Recruitment efforts for the future LEAP site were still ongoing as of July 2026, with the capacities of assembling 350 engines and maintaining 150 engines annually also reported by Safran.
As reported by barlamane.com.
