Curtiss-Wright expands Morocco aerospace footprint with Casablanca investment

Morocco has signed an agreement with US aerospace company Curtiss-Wright Corporation to expand its operations into the kingdom, marking a significant step in the development of the Morocco aerospace sector. The agreement was signed during the Farnborough International Airshow in the United Kingdom and will see Curtiss-Wright Surface Technologies establish activities in the Casablanca region.

The project will introduce advanced surface treatment services for aircraft components, a highly specialized segment of aerospace manufacturing that has until now remained largely absent from Morocco’s industrial ecosystem. Casablanca already hosts nearly 70% of the aerospace companies operating in the country, making it a strategic location for the new investment.

For more than two decades, Morocco has steadily expanded its aerospace capabilities, producing aircraft wiring systems, machined parts, composite materials, and other critical components. However, many high-value metal parts still required shipment abroad for specialized surface treatments before returning to local production lines.

These treatments improve resistance to corrosion, heat, wear, and mechanical stress. They are essential for critical aircraft components such as landing gear systems and engine parts, where durability and reliability are fundamental requirements.

With Curtiss-Wright Surface Technologies establishing operations in Casablanca, manufacturers will be able to complete these processes domestically. The move is expected to shorten production cycles, reduce logistics costs, and increase the local integration rate of Morocco’s aerospace industry, which currently stands at around 42%.

The investment comes as Morocco continues to attract major aerospace projects. Earlier this year, Safran Landing Systems announced the construction of a €280 million landing gear manufacturing facility in Casablanca. Since landing gear production requires advanced surface treatment technologies, the arrival of Curtiss-Wright creates important industrial synergies within the growing aerospace cluster.

The expansion also reinforces Morocco’s position within Boeing’s global supply chain. More than 120 Boeing suppliers currently operate in the kingdom, supporting the country’s ambition to become a leading aerospace manufacturing hub connecting Europe, Africa, and North America.

Speaking after the signing ceremony, Ray Lopuc, Senior Vice President and head of Curtiss-Wright Surface Technologies’ Metal Improvement Company division, described the agreement as the beginning of a new phase in the company’s relationship with Morocco. He noted that the project represents Curtiss-Wright’s first investment in Africa and indicated that future expansion beyond Casablanca remains under consideration.

Ali Seddiki, Director General of the Moroccan Agency for Investment and Export Development (AMDIE), said the agreement demonstrates the growing maturity of Morocco’s aerospace ecosystem. He highlighted the sector’s ability to attract investments in advanced and strategic manufacturing activities following recent projects such as Safran’s landing gear facility.

The initiative is also expected to strengthen workforce development. The Institut des Métiers de l’Aéronautique in Casablanca will play a role in training technicians for specialized aerospace manufacturing processes, helping meet growing demand for skilled labor across the industry.

Founded in 1929 and headquartered in North Carolina, Curtiss-Wright operates across aerospace, defense, energy, and industrial markets. The company reported approximately $3.5 billion in revenue in 2025 and employs more than 8,900 people worldwide.

Morocco’s aerospace sector now includes more than 155 companies, employs over 25,000 people, generates annual exports exceeding $3 billion, and has achieved average yearly growth of about 17% over the past two decades. The arrival of Curtiss-Wright fills one of the last major gaps in the country’s aerospace manufacturing value chain and further strengthens its position as a global production platform.