Maintenance Aéro Maroc (MAM), a subsidiary of Sabena Engineering, and Maintenance Aeronautic Assets (MAA) today celebrated the groundbreaking of a new state-of-the-art hangar at the Benslimane aeronautical platform. This facility will be dedicated to heavy maintenance of both C-130 Hercules and F-16 aircraft, marking a major step forward in Morocco’s aerospace capabilities and positioning the country as a regional hub for military aircraft MRO (Maintenance, Repair & Overhaul).
This milestone reflects a strategic ambition to develop sovereign capabilities in aerospace maintenance, while fostering industrial growth and the creation of highly skilled jobs. The initiative is supported by a strong partnership between Sabena Engineering (Orizio Group), MEDZ (CDG Group), and Lockheed Martin, and showcases the synergy between Moroccan, Belgian, and American expertise.
In the presence of senior Moroccan authorities, representatives from Lockheed Martin, Sabena Engineering, the National Defense Administration, and the Royal Air Forces, the ceremony underscored a shared vision: to establish a regional center of excellence for aircraft maintenance and technical training.
The hangar, spanning over 8,000 m² and built to the highest international standards, will enable MAM to perform heavy maintenance (PDM) and platform modernization for both C-130 and F-16 aircraft. This dual-platform capability enhances operational flexibility and reinforces Morocco’s technological autonomy in the aerospace sector.
This project is the first phase of a broader development plan that includes future expansion to helicopter platforms and other aircraft types. It is part of a sustainable investment strategy aimed at:
- Creating highly skilled employment opportunities,
- Facilitating knowledge transfer,
- Strengthening Morocco’s industrial sovereignty.
“This project represents a strategic interest for Sabena Engineering. It will become a center capable of serving other countries in the Mediterranean. This construction is more than an infrastructure: it embodies a collective ambition and mutual trust among partners committed to the future of aircraft maintenance,” emphasized Stéphane Burton, CEO of Sabena Engineering.
The hangar is scheduled to become operational in the second half of 2026, ushering in a new era for aircraft maintenance in Morocco and North Africa.
“This collaboration goes beyond building capability. It is creating high-skilled jobs and driving industrial growth in Morocco, strengthening our partnership with Orizio Group (Sabena Engineering), and supporting American manufacturing, demonstrating that true partnership delivers enduring security and shared prosperity for all our nations,” said Ray Piselli, Vice President, International Business, Lockheed Martin.
About Maintenance Aéro Maroc (MAM)
Maintenance Aéro Maroc is a joint venture formed through the partnership between Sabena Engineering (Orizio Group) and MEDZ (CDG Group). Located at the Benslimane platform, MAM specializes in heavy maintenance and modernization of C-130 Hercules and F-16 aircraft. It aims to become a regional center of excellence in military and civil aircraft maintenance, with plans to expand to other platforms and markets.
