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Rabat – Morocco and the US are moving to deepen ties further at all levels, including military cooperation.
A statement from the Defense Security Cooperation Agency announced on Wednesday that the US State Department approved a potential Foreign Military Sale to Morocco valued at approximately $825 million.
Morocco’s purchase request includes 600 FIM-92K Stinger Block I missiles, in addition to contractor engineering, logistics, and technical support services.
RTX Corporation will serve as the principal contractor along with Lockheed Martin.
“There will be no adverse impact on U.S defense readiness as a result of this proposed sale,” the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency said.
The security cooperation agency announced that it delivered the required certification, notifying Congress of the possible sale, adding that this deal is aimed at supporting the foreign policy and national security to improve the security of a major non-NATO ally.
The statement also described Morocco as an “important force for political stability and economic progress in North Africa,” adding that the North African country aims to use the defense articles to modernize its armed forces and expand its existing army’s range of air defense options.
“This will contribute to the Moroccan Army’s goals of updating capability and further enhancing interoperability with the U.S. and other allies,” the statement noted, adding that Rabat has no difficulty absorbing this equipment into its armed forces.
Bobby Dixon, a lieutenant commander who serves as a public affairs officer at the US Africa Command (AFRICOM), recently commended the military deal between the two countries, expressing satisfaction with the continued strengthening of bilateral ties between the two countries.
“Great to see this!! Morocco and the United States have a great relationship that goes back centuries!” he said in an official statement.
Strategic timing
The timing of the announcement reflects determination from the two countries to continue to boost cooperation at all levels.
On April 8, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio conveyed this determination during a meeting with Morocco’s Affairs Minister Nasser Bourita, who visited Washington last week.
During his visit, Rubio and Bourita affirmed the strong US-Morocco partnership and its contribution to advancing peace and security. The two officials also discussed cooperation to further expand commercial cooperation and bilateral ties.
The Secretary also reiterated the US fundamental and unwavering support for Morocco’s territorial integrity and sovereignty over its southern provinces.
Setting down Algeria’s hostile aspirations against Morocco, the US said that the genuine autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty is the only feasible solution to end the dispute over Western Sahara.
Morocco’s military prowess
In the past few decades, Morocco has been modernizing and upgrading its military equipment and infrastructure through several similar military deals with its international partners, mainly the US.
The US maintained throughout the years its status as Morocco’s largest arms supplier, providing it with 91% of its arms supply.
In January, the Bureau of Political-Military Affairs compiled data showing that the US has been providing Morocco with security cooperation since the late 1950s.
“The United States has $8.545 billion in active government-to-government sales cases with Morocco under the Foreign Military Sales (FMS_ system),” the State Department quoted the data as saying.
Morocco has received equipment worth $4478 million since 2013, including Abra tans, C-130H aircraft, as well as armored personnel carriers.
This is in addition to the US Foreign Military Financing worth $135 million to Morocco since 2012.
The latest delivery of US military equipment to Morocco took place in March, when the country received the first batch of AH64 Apache helicopters to the North African country.
Several US military officials commended the US-Morocco military and security ties, stressing Morocco’s “obvious and undeniable” leadership in security in North Africa and the Sahel.
“African armies are watching you and taking examples from you, ” General Michael Langley, Commander of the US Africa Command (US AFRICOM), said of Morocco’s military prowess.
He said that Morocco is a “reference in defense and stability,” expressing confidence that the partnership between the two countries will continue to grow and strengthen to contribute to the continent’s stability and security.
Aimee Cutrona, the Charge d’Affaires at the US Embassy in Rabat, echoed the same remarks, noting that Rabat and Washington have a “long history of partnership reaching back nearly 250 years when Morocco was the first to recognize U.S. independence.”
She said that the two countries are enjoying “steady and consistent growth of the longstanding U.S.-Morocco security cooperation that continues to advance our interest in the region and the world.”
Langley and Cutrona’s remarks were also echoed by Dixon, who expressed excitement with the upcoming Africa Lion, the largest military drill hosted by Morocco in 19 years.
“In the next few weeks, @usafricacommand AND @SETAF_Africa will be conducting AfricanLion alongside our Moroccan friends!” Dixon wrote on Tuesday.
To upgrade its military further, Morocco allocated MAD 133 billion or nearly $13 billion for its defense budget this year, significantly up from $12 billion in 2024 and MAD 119 billion or $11.4 billion in 2023.
In addition to safeguarding its regional borders, Morocco’s military also contributes to world peace by mobilizing peacekeepers to help the UN missions across the globe.
The State Department has described Morocco in January as among the top ten contributors to UN peacekeeping operations worldwide, deploying 1,718 peacekeepers in different countries, including Sudan, South Sudan, Central African Republic, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
