Rabat- Italian defense Magazine RID reported recently on Morocco’s interest in purchasing two multi-purpose frigates from Italy.
The magazine said that the FREMM, or the European multi-purpose frigate, established itself as a “reference product for the world frigate market.”
The magazine emphasized that talks and discussions are ongoing between Morocco and Fincantieri, an Italian shipbuilding company based in Trieste, Italy.
“Morocco… has a French FREMM in service, and would like to buy 2 more units, but this time in an Italian (antisom) configuration,” said the magazine.
It remains to be seen whether the Italian or Moroccan government will confirm the purchase order any time soon.
Morocco has recently emphasized its determination to upgrade its military equipment through several purchases from its major partners.
A recent report from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) estimated Morocco’s military spending at $4.8 billion.
The number represents a 29%¨increase compared to 2019.
The number is also 54% higher than in 2011.
SIPRI’s data showed that Morocco is among countries whose expenditures on arms increased remarkably.
Another report from SIPRI earlier this year also featured Morocco among the top 40 largest importers of major arms, ranking 29th out of 40.
Morocco buys the majority of its arms from the US with 90%, followed by France with 9.2%, and the UK with 0.3%.
Morocco sealed several agreements with the US to buy heavy arms as part of the military cooperation between the two countries.
In October 2020, the two countries signed a 10-year Defense Cooperation Roadmap. The deal aims to improve information sharing between Moroccan and American military and security services.
The countries renewed their commitment during the military maneuver 2021 AFRICOM or African Lion held in June.
In January, the Global Firepower Index ranked Morocco’s military strength at the 53rd position out of 137 countries.
The North African country also ranked fifth in Africa.
