Marrakech – The Pentagon has formally notified the US Congress of a proposed $86 million arms sale to Morocco involving precision-guided bombs, representing a continuation of the two countries’ 250-year diplomatic and military partnership.
Following approval by the US State Department, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency announced the transaction on December 20, 2024, involving 500 GBU-39B Small Diameter Bombs (SDB-I) and two inert practice bombs with fuze for the Royal Moroccan Air Force. Boeing Corporation in St. Louis, Missouri, will serve as the principal contractor.
The package includes $51 million in major defense equipment and $35 million in additional support services. Beyond the bombs themselves, Morocco will receive tactical training rounds, weapons system support, test equipment, spare parts, technical documentation, and personnel training.
According to the Federal Register notification, the GBU-39/B is a 250-pound GPS-aided precision weapon capable of striking fixed and relocatable targets from standoff ranges. The bombs operate effectively in day or night conditions and adverse weather, with aircraft able to carry four SDBs in place of one 2,000-pound bomb.
The Defense Department (currently rebranded as the Department of War) stated that this sale supports US foreign policy by helping improve security of “a major non-NATO ally that continues to be an important force for political stability and economic progress in North Africa.”
The proposed transaction aims to enhance Morocco’s capability to address current and future threats while strengthening interoperability between the US Air Force and Royal Moroccan Air Force. Officials stated that Morocco “will have no difficulty absorbing this equipment into its armed forces.”
The notification specifies that the highest classification level for the equipment is “secret,” though the Pentagon determined Morocco can provide equivalent protection for sensitive technology. The sale will not alter the regional military balance, according to the assessment.
The document states there are “no known offset agreements proposed in connection with this potential sale.” Implementation requires no additional US Government or contractor representatives to be stationed in Morocco. The Defense Department confirmed no adverse impact on US defense readiness would result from the sale.
Multiple sources confirm Morocco previously requested these precision weapons as part of ongoing military modernization efforts.
Morocco has increased its defense budget to MAD 157.17 billion ($15.7 billion) for 2026, continuing a steady upward trend from MAD 124.7 billion ($12.5 billion) in 2024 and MAD 133 billion ($13.3 billion) in 2025 – an increase exceeding MAD 24 billion (2.4 billion) over two years.
This acquisition follows Morocco’s recent purchases of advanced US military equipment, including F-16 fighter jets, Apache attack helicopters, and HIMARS missile systems. The country maintains extensive military cooperation with Washington as the largest purchaser of US military equipment in Africa.
The GBU-39B bombs have been sold to several US allies, including Ukraine, Saudi Arabia, Israel, Italy, and the Netherlands. These weapons entered service in 2006 and are designed for high penetration capability against fortified targets.
Congress now has a review period during which it can raise objections to the proposed sale. If no action is taken, the transaction can proceed as planned under standard arms export procedures.
Morocco’s status as a major non-NATO ally since 2004 facilitates such military cooperation agreements. The partnership supports US security priorities in North Africa and the Sahel regions, areas characterized by ongoing security challenges.
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