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Doha – Morocco is set to acquire 500 GBU-39B Small Diameter Bombs (SDB-I) from the United States, marking another significant step in the country’s military modernization efforts.
According to a press release by the Defense Security Cooperation Agency published on Friday, the US State Department has approved the possible Foreign Military Sale to Morocco.
The package, estimated at $86 million, includes two GBU-39 (T-1)/B inert practice bombs with fuze, along with tactical training rounds, support equipment, spare parts, technical data, and personnel training.
“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,” the agency stated in its announcement.
“The proposed sale will improve Morocco’s capability to meet current and future threats. This capability will also strengthen combined operations and increase interoperability between the U.S. Air Force and the Royal Moroccan Air Force (RMAF). Morocco will have no difficulty absorbing this equipment into its armed forces,” the agency added.
Boeing Corporation, based in St. Louis, Missouri, will serve as the principal contractor for this sale.
The deal includes comprehensive support elements such as weapons system support, test equipment, repair services, and technical support, though no additional US Government or contractor representatives will need to be assigned to Morocco.
The acquisition comes amid Morocco’s broader military modernization initiative, supported by an increased defense budget.
The country has allocated MAD 133.453 billion ($13 billion) for defense spending in 2025, up from $12 billion in 2024 and $11.4 billion in 2023, according to the draft finance law presented by Minister of Economy and Finance Nadia Fettah Alaoui.
Morocco maintains extensive military cooperation with the United States, being the largest purchaser of US military equipment in Africa. Current active government-to-government sales cases total $8.545 billion under the Foreign Military Sales system.
Recent significant acquisitions include 18 HIMARS launchers, 25 F-16C/D Block 72 aircraft, and 36 AH-64E Apache attack helicopters.
The US-Morocco security partnership extends beyond arms sales. Since 2012, Morocco has received $135 million in Foreign Military Financing and $32 million for International Military Education and Training since 2006.
The country also plays a crucial role in regional security as a major contributor to UN peacekeeping operations and participates in the annual African Lion training exercise, the largest joint military exercise on the African continent.
