Morocco has signed a new defence agreement with French technology company Harmattan AI to help build and produce autonomous air defence systems inside the country. The deal, signed with the Royal Armed Forces (FAR), includes plans to open a production facility and a research and development centre in Morocco. The new defence capabilities are expected to start rolling out from 2026.
The move is part of Morocco’s wider effort to build more military equipment at home instead of relying only on foreign suppliers.
Harmattan AI said the project will support the deployment of autonomous air defence systems while helping Morocco develop its own defence industry.
As part of the agreement, the company will manufacture its Gobi VSHORAD anti-drone interceptor in Morocco. The system is designed to stop drones at short range.
The company has also started hiring in Morocco, with 23 engineering and technical jobs already announced.
The partnership includes cooperation with Moroccan universities and research centres to help train future engineers and defence specialists.
The announcement comes as Morocco continues to increase spending on defence.
The country’s 2026 Finance Bill sets aside a record 157.17 billion dirhams ($15.7 billion) for national defence, up from 133 billion dirhams in 2025. Part of that budget will support local defence manufacturing.
Morocco has also introduced new rules under Law 10.20 on defence equipment. The regulations require approved projects to source at least 30% of their work locally.
The government has created the Defence Industrial Zones Management Company (SGZID) to oversee defence research, manufacturing and exports.
Morocco has launched several projects aimed at building a domestic defence industry. These include the Tata Advanced Systems Morocco factory in Berrechid and drone production projects with Turkish company Baykar.
Harmattan AI was valued at $1.4 billion after raising $200 million in funding in January 2026.
Although financial details of the agreement have not been made public, the partnership highlights Morocco’s goal of developing local skills and production capacity in advanced defence technologies, including artificial intelligence and autonomous systems.
