Safran invests over €350 million in Morocco to support ramp-up of LEAP engines

 The Safran Group has taken a major step forward in its international development with the launch of a large-scale dual industrial project in Morocco. The company is investing more than €350 million to create a maintenance and repair workshop (MRO) and an assembly line for the LEAP-1A engine in Casablanca, thereby strengthening its global production and maintenance capacity for new-generation aircraft engines.

Translated with DeepL.com (free version)

 

Safran is strengthening its industrial presence in Morocco with the creation of two complementary sites in Casablanca: a maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facility for LEAP engines and an assembly line for the LEAP-1A engine, designed to support the global ramp-up of aircraft propulsion.

By combining production, maintenance, testing and energy transition, Safran is creating an integrated ecosystem in Morocco that will enable it to better control its costs, lead times and emissions. This facility is a strategic asset for meeting the growing demand for energy-efficient engines and supporting the sustainable recovery of global air traffic.

The launch ceremony took place on 13 October in Morocco in the presence of His Majesty King Mohammed VI of Morocco and Olivier Andriès, Chief Executive Officer of Safran.

Watch the video of the inauguration produced by our colleagues at Africanews:

“We warmly thank the Moroccan government for its support in bringing these major industrial projects to fruition. Strengthening its presence in Morocco is a strong commitment by Safran to the development and economic acceleration of the Moroccan aerospace sector. These two sites will showcase the industrial excellence of Safran and Morocco,” said Olivier Andriès, Chief Executive Officer of Safran.

An industrial and energy lever for Morocco

The MRO centre, named Safran Aircraft Engine Services Casablanca, will cover 25,000 m² and will be operational in 2027. Its target capacity is 150 LEAP engines per year, with the creation of 600 direct jobs by 2030. The associated investment is estimated at €120 million.

At the same time, Safran will set up a new assembly line for the LEAP-1A engine, intended for the Airbus A320neo, covering an area of 13,000 m². This site, which will complement the one in Villaroche (France), will be able to assemble up to 350 engines per year by the end of 2027 and will generate 300 additional jobs for an investment of around €200 million.

This dual project, complemented by expansions at three existing sites (Safran Aerosystems in Tiflet, Safran Electronics & Defence in Casablanca, and Safran Electrical & Power in Aïn Atiq) by 2027, brings Safran’s total investment in Morocco to more than €350 million and is part of a target to produce 2,500 LEAP engines per year from 2028 onwards.

This complex strengthens Morocco’s position as a high value-added regional aerospace hub. Ultimately, more than 2,000 jobs are expected to be created across all of the group’s activities in Morocco, a country where Safran has been present for 26 years with more than 4,800 employees spread across 10 sites.

At the same time, the company has signed a memorandum of understanding for the supply of renewable energy covering most of its Moroccan sites from 2026 onwards, in line with its goal of reducing its CO₂ emissions by 50% by 2030 (reference 2018).

The LEAP engine and composite materials
Morocco already has recognised expertise in composite structures through Safran Nacelles Morocco (Nouaceur), the country’s leading site for manufacturing nacelle components and thrust reversers for single-aisle aircraft.

The arrival of the LEAP-1A assembly line in Casablanca will enable direct synergy between composite and propulsion activities, promoting the development of local expertise in processes such as 3D weaving, polymerisation, repairs and non-destructive testing.

The complex will also include a shared test bench for LEAP engines, strengthening the industrial loop between assembly, testing and maintenance. The LEAP engine, developed by CFM International (a 50/50 joint venture between Safran Aircraft Engines and GE Aerospace), incorporates several major innovations in composite materials. The fan blades and casings are made from 3D-woven carbon fibre with an epoxy matrix, a technology developed by Safran Aero Composites and produced at its sites in Rochester (United States) and Commercy (France). These components offer a 15-20% reduction in weight, increased fatigue and impact resistance, and 15% lower fuel consumption compared to the previous generation.