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Rabat – General Michael Langley, Commander of the US Africa Command (US AFRICOM) commended bilateral ties between the two countries on Wednesday.
Recalling the official delivery of the first batch of AH-64 Apache helicopters to Morocco, General Langley said the transfer of the military equipment from the US reflects the strong partnership between the two countries.
Langley made his remarks at the ceremony for the reception of six Apache AH-64E combat helicopters at the first Royal Air Force Base in Sale.
He said that Morocco’s “obvious and undeniable” leadership in security both in the North Africa and Sahel regions across the entire continent.
“African armies are watching you and taking examples from you,” he said, noting that Morocco is a “reference in defense and stability.” The officer expressed confidence that the partnership between the two countries will continue to grow and strengthen to contribute to the continent’s stability and security.
He recalled the international community’s consensus that Morocco has been regarded as an exporter of security and a key player in regional peace.
“This ceremony goes beyond the mere acquisition of a weapon system, it celebrates a historic partnership that has lasted nearly 250 years,” he said, recalling Morocco’s unwavering support for the US since its founding.
Throughout the years, the US maintained its leadership as the largest exporter of arms to Morocco with 69% of the global imports, followed by France, and Israel.
“By purchasing these Apache helicopters, Morocco has made a significant step in investing in their security and in regional security. This investment now puts them in a new level of warfighting capability,” Langley said.
Aimee Cutrona, the Charge d’Affaires at the US embassy in Rabat, shared the same perspective, highlighting the importance of consolidating bilateral ties between the two countries.
“The United States and Morocco have a long history of partnership reaching back nearly 250 years when Morocco was the first to recognize U.S. independence,” Cutrona said.
The US diplomat stressed that the two countries are enjoying “steady and consistent growth of the longstanding U.S.-Morocco security cooperation that continues to advance our interests in the region and the world.”
New data from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) identified Morocco as the largest arms importer of arms worldwide last year.
Data from a fact sheet compiled by the bureau of political and military affairs in the US confirmed Morocco as the largest purchaser of US military equipment in Africa.
“The United States has $8.545 billion in active government-to-government sales cases with Morocco under the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) system,” the data published by the State Department said.
Since 2013, the North African country has received equipment worth $478 million, including 222 M1A1 Abrams tanks, two C-130H aircraft, and 600 M113A3 Armored Personnel Carriers, the factsheet shows.
In the 2022-2023 fiscal year, the US greenlighted the permanent export of over $167 million in defense equipment to Morocco, including military electronics, gas turbine engines, associated equipment, as well as fire control, laser, imaging, and guidance equipment.
The fact sheet also recalled Morocco’s key contributions to peace and security, noting that the country is among the top 10 contributors to UN peacekeeping operations worldwide with 1,718 peacekeepers deployed in different areas, including Central African Republic, Congo, Sudan, and South Sudan.
The AFRICOM commander reiterated Washington’s interest in boosting ties with Rabat, noting that his visit to Morocco and every trip he makes to the North African country is an opportunity to learn and to carry out dialogue and exchanges that he directly conveys to the authorities of the US command. He concluded by hailing the Moroccan vision for ensuring stability and security in Africa.
Last week marked the first planning meeting for the 21st African Lion 2025, the largest military maneuver organized in Morocco for the past 19 years with the aim of training international militaries to mitigate security crises, including terrorism.
