Pakistan: A Strong Strategic Partner for Morocco in Developing the Kingdom’s Military Industry

Aldar / Analysis

As Morocco advances its ambitious goal of building a modern national military industry, Pakistan emerges as one of the most ideal partners for this strategic project, given its extensive experience and prominent standing in this vital field. The Muslim South Asian nation, which has been locked in a decades-long conflict with neighboring India, was compelled to develop its defense industry domestically—resulting in a broad technical and industrial base covering various branches of military manufacturing.

Over the past few years, Pakistan has reached advanced levels in the production of both light and heavy weaponry, and has developed a range of missile systems, including surface-to-surface, surface-to-air, and land-to-sea missiles, along with anti-armor equipment. The country has also accumulated significant expertise in the manufacturing of tanks and armored vehicles and has built a comprehensive naval and aviation industrial base. One of its most notable achievements is the JF-17 fighter jet, developed in partnership with China.

The Pakistani-Chinese cooperation in this field has served as a powerful catalyst for the advancement of Pakistan’s defense industries. This makes Islamabad a high-value partner for emerging countries like Morocco, which aim to localize military manufacturing and reduce reliance on foreign suppliers.

Over the years, Pakistan has shown a strong willingness to share its expertise and transfer technology to friendly nations, making Rabat a logical destination for any future partnership in this area. This growing closeness is further strengthened by Pakistan’s clear and supportive stance on Morocco’s unity and sovereignty—especially as some countries, such as India, maintain a neutral or ambiguous position on the Western Sahara issue due to their diplomatic ties with Algeria.

Although India has made considerable strides in developing its defense industry, its inconsistent stance in North Africa and historical connections with the Polisario Front at certain points in time make the option of engaging with Pakistan more aligned with Morocco’s sovereign priorities.

Building a modern Moroccan military industry requires collaboration with trusted partners who possess both the expertise and the political will to transfer knowledge. In this context, cooperation with countries like Pakistan stands out—not only because of their industrial capabilities, but also because of their political positions that align closely with Morocco’s strategic interests.