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Rabat – The US has delivered 50 military vehicles and trucks to Morocco’s Royal Armed Forces (FAR), a statement from FAR’s website has recently indicated.
The shipment constitutes yet another vindication of the strong, and continuously evolving security cooperation between Washington and Rabat, the statement suggested.
In a subsequent Facebook post, FAR went on to explain that this delivery was the first phase of a broader agreement involving the shipment of 100 military vehicles and “tactical transportation trucks.” The second phase is expected to take place “in the coming weeks.”
“50 tactical transportation trucks are currently on their way to Morocco from the US. Another 50-truck shipment will take place in the coming weeks,” the FAR statement noted.
In addition to transporting Moroccan troops to strategic positions in times of combat, the trucks and militarized vehicles can be used as shields against light weapons, artillery shells, and mortar bombs. They are expected to reinforce the capabilities of the Moroccan land forces.
The news comes months after the Moroccan air forces received a number of upgraded F16 fighter jets from the US.
However the purchase and the free provision to Morocco of US-made army equipment are not the only aspects of the defense cooperation between Rabat and Washington.
Morocco is widely known as the strongest US ally in North Africa and one of Washington’s most reliable partners in the global fight against terrorism and radicalization.
Most recently, General Stephen T. Townsend, the commander of the US Africa Command (AFRICOM), said that Morocco is a strong and exemplary ally, pointing out that Washington is keen to upgrade the security cooperation between the two countries.
“The US military and the Royal Moroccan Armed Forces can improve our ability to work together and provide a safe, more prosperous future for the region,” he said.
