Abdellatif Loudiyi,Minister Delegate to the Head of Government in charge of National Defense Administration,presented the 2026 defense budget to the parliamentary committee,confirming an increase in the country’s defense spending.
The increase keeps the strategic focus on modernization and building a domestic military industry,Moroccan media reported citing Loudiyi’s meeting with members of parliament.
The defense budget for 2026 stands at 73 billion dirhams,an increase of about 3.3 billion (roughly +5%).
This moderate rise reflects operational needs and previously contracted programs,Loudiyi said,adding that the share of defense spending in the overall state budget will slightly decline,from 4.5% in 2025 to 4% in 2026.
The 157 billion dirhams in anticipated commitments do not represent immediate spending. They are multi-year authorizations for long-term contracts,in line with defense acquisition cycles that often span a decade,he said.
Loudiyi also confirmed the implementation of Decree No. 2.23.925,which establishes two industrial acceleration zones dedicated to defense. These zones will be ready to host investors by the end of 2026.
Since the launch of this strategic roadmap,ten defense-related industrial projects have been authorized,representing $260 million in investment and creating over 2,500 direct jobs. These projects cover production,maintenance,assembly,and export capabilities.
These projects include the inauguration of the Tata Advanced Systems Morocco plant in Berrechid. The plant will produce WhAP 8×8 armored vehicles with a local integration rate of 35%,aiming for 50%.
In Benslimane a plant will be dedicated to maintenance for F-16 and C-130 aircraft,in partnership with Sabena Engineering,Lockheed Martin,and MedZ.
Morocco also aims to manufacture SPY-X drones at a unit by BlueBird,including technology transfer.
Turkish Baykar also plans to establish operations via Atlas Defense,reinforcing Morocco’s drone sector.
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