Meknes – Far-Maroc, a defense-related website, has reported that the US Congress has approved the inclusion of 52 AN/ARC-231 Skyfire radio systems to the AH-64E Apache helicopters, which are now being built in the US for Morocco’s Royal Armed Forces (FAR).
The ARC-231 Skyfire is a software-defined radio for military aircraft that provides bidirectional and multimode voice and communication data over a frequency range of 30 to 512 MHz. On the battlefield, these radios promote interoperability. They are extremely useful to AH-64E Apache pilots because they allow them to achieve a competitive edge in terms of encrypted transmission in hazardous situations.
On November 20, 2019, the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency approved the sale of 36 AH-64E Apache attack helicopters and supporting equipment to Morocco for a total cost of $4.25 billion.
The AH-64 Apache is a multi-role combat helicopter that is one of the most advanced in the world. The US army and other foreign defense forces employed the helicopters in battles in Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya, and Yemen, as well as in the Gulf War.
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Following Egypt’s purchase of the AH-64 Apache in 1995, Morocco is the second African country to receive the aircraft.
This deal is part of Morocco’s determination to update its military equipment and enhance its army’s operational capabilities. In recent months, the North African country has signed similar agreements with the US, France, Israel, and Turkey.
Last April, Morocco’s FAR placed an order with Turkey for 13 Bayraktar TB2 unmanned combat aerial vehicles (UCAV) with a budget of MAD 626 million ($70 million). Turkish armed drones are noted for their medium-altitude and long-endurance (MALE) capabilities, which allow them to operate for lengthy periods of time.
Morocco has also updated and extended its F-16 jet fighter force in recent years. For its expanding fleet, Morocco notably ordered 2,400 anti-tank missiles and air-to-ground munitions.
Escalating violations in the region have called on the North African country to boost its defense investments.
Upscaling the FAR’s equipment and operational capacities is also part of Morocco’s apparent aspiration to remain a point of regional stability while enhancing its projection abilities to counterbalance regional destabilizing threats.
