Rabat – Morocco is set to purchase more military-related equipment from its largest arms supplier, the US.
According to the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA), the US State Department has approved a possible foreign military equipment sale of Ground Command and Control-related equipment to Morocco at an estimated cost of $141.1 million.
As part of the potential deal, Morocco requested to purchase six Multifunctional Information Distribution System Joint Tactical Radio Systems (MIDS). The MIDS system, developed by Collins Aerospace, facilitates “high-speed, secure sharing of military tactical data links,” according to the manufacturer.
The purchase requests also include different equipment, including secure communications, cryptographic devices, prevision navigation equipment, as well as unclassified and classified software, among other equipment.
“This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security of the United States by helping to improve the security of a Major Non-NATO Ally that continues to be an important force for political stability and economic progress in North Africa,” DSCA said in the communique.
The statement emphasized that Morocco’s request to buy the military equipment will allow the North African country to improve its assets to meet the “current and future threats by providing timely Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR).”
Morocco has been upgrading its military system, with several foreign military deals to acquire modernized equipment.
In 2021, Morocco ranked 29th as the largest importer of arms.
Morocco’s arms supplies come primarily from the US, with 90% followed by France (9.2%), and the UK (0.3%).
Recent reports suggested that Morocco is set to benefit from increased US military cooperation as part of the recently approved US State and Foreign Operations (SFOPs) bill .
The decision comes at the recommendation of the Senate Committee on Appropriations, which suggested increased military cooperation with Arab countries that have signed the Abraham Accords, including Morocco, the UAE, and Bahrain.
Morocco re-established relations with Israel in December 2020. Following the US-brokered re-establishment of ties, Morocco and Israel concluded a $500 million agreement that will allow Rabat to receive air and missile systems.
The North African country also acquired the Skylock Dome anti-drone system from Israel in 2021 as part of its approach to upgrade its military capacities.
In 2019, Morocco spent $4.1 billion on its military, according to a recent report by the US Department of Defense.
In three years between 2017 and 2019, Morocco imported $1 billion worth of armaments.
Regionally, Egypt came first with $68.1 billion spent on its military budget in the same year, while Algeria came second with $10.3 billion.
