Harmattan AI to establish defense engineering hub in Morocco

French defense technology company Harmattan AI is establishing an engineering and manufacturing hub in Rabat, Morocco, to develop autonomous systems and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). This initiative follows a partnership agreement signed on June 17 with the Royal Moroccan Armed Forces.

The project aims to build local technical capabilities by recruiting approximately 50 engineers and specialists in fields such as aircraft design, propulsion, avionics, and flight testing. The company is also working to develop a local network of Moroccan suppliers to support the entire production cycle, from prototyping to industrial manufacturing.

Key components of the partnership include the creation of a research and engineering center focused on artificial intelligence applied to military systems, as well as collaborations with Moroccan higher education and scientific research institutions. The long-term goal is to enhance Morocco's technological autonomy in defense, with plans to develop large-scale autonomous air defense capabilities starting in 2026.