US Transfers Two ‘Metal Shark’ Interceptor Boats to Moroccan Navy

Rabat – The US has transferred today, March 24 two 11-meter “Metal Shark” interceptor boats to the Royal Moroccan Navy.

The transfer ceremony took place on the sidelines of the final planning event for African Lion 2022, United States Africa Command’s (AFRICOM) premier military exercise. The annual African Lion event is the largest military exercise in Africa.

“Today’s handover ceremony is yet another milestone in the strong security partnership between our two countries, focused on maintaining regional peace and stability,” Lt. Col. Teremuura Shamel, chief of the security cooperation office at the US Embassy in Morocco said.

The two vessels, valued at $970,000, are aimed at enhancing the Royal Moroccan Navy’s capacity in the face of security challenges, such as drug and human trafficking in the country’s regional waters.

Metal Shark is a global leader in the design and construction of custom boats for commercial, defensive, and law enforcement applications.

The transfer of the two vessels is part of the broader military partnership between Morocco and the US.

The Moroccan and US navies cooperate closely together, particularly in the Strait of Gibraltar, “against crime, terrorism, drug smuggling, and human trafficking.”

Shamel said that these challenges require collaboration to combat them effectively.

High-level Moroccan Royal Armed Forces officials met with their American counterparts at the Royal Moroccan Army’s southern zone headquarters to discuss preparations for African Lion 2022. This year’s military exercise will take place across Morocco in mid-June.

African Lion 2022 will encompass several military drills taken under the joint cooperation of the US and Moroccan armies in the cities of Agadir, Tantan, Mahbas, Taroudant, Kenitra, and Benguerir.

“AL22 is the premiere joint multinational exercise in the AFRICOM area of responsibility,” Shamel said, stressing that the exercise “demonstrates our long-term commitment to Morocco – and all of Africa – in recognition of the continent’s strategic importance to the United States, and to preserve peace in the region.”

Morocco is a key US. ally on a range of security issues. Morocco participates with the US in more than 100 military exercises and events annually, including multilateral and bilateral exercises such as African Lion 2022, Obangame Express later in the year, Phoenix Express 2021, Lightening Handshake in March 2021, and Atlas Handshake in January 2021.

In October 2020, the two countries signed a ten-year “Roadmap for Defense Cooperation,” which prioritizes cooperation in key areas such as strengthening the Royal Moroccan Navy’s coastal security and surveillance capabilities to advance regional maritime security