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Marrakech – The US Department of War (previously Department of Defense) has included Morocco among eight countries designated for F-16 radar component repair and support services under a major new contract awarded to Northrop Grumman Systems Corp.
The $303.6 million contract, announced November 13, establishes Morocco alongside Bahrain, Bulgaria, Greece, Korea, Slovakia, Taiwan, and Jordan as recipients of Foreign Military Sales support for F-16 radar systems. Work will be performed at Northrop Grumman’s Linthicum Heights, Maryland facility through November 2030.
The contract provides repair and return services for F-16 radar components, specifically for foreign military sales countries. Initial funding of $2.7 million has been obligated at contract award, with the Air Force Lifecycle Management Center at Hill Air Force Base, Utah, serving as the contracting activity.
Morocco’s inclusion reflects its growing position within the F-16 ecosystem. The North African country has ordered 24 F-16 Viper aircraft, the most advanced version of Lockheed Martin’s fighter jet, with deliveries expected before 2026. The country is simultaneously upgrading its existing F-16 fleet to Viper standards.
These new aircraft feature cutting-edge AN/APG-83 AESA radar systems, known for electronic jamming resistance, and Viper Shield electronic warfare capabilities developed by L3Harris Technologies. The radar support contract ensures continued operational readiness for Morocco’s expanding F-16 fleet.
The development builds on Morocco’s deeper integration into US defense supply chains. In May, the US State Department authorized Morocco to receive F-16 manufacturing technology transfer valued at over $50 million. This authorization enables Morocco to produce key F-16 components, particularly for the F-16V “Viper” version.
Morocco’s defense relationship with Lockheed Martin dates to 1974, with the first C-130H aircraft delivery to the Royal Moroccan Air Force. The partnership has since expanded to include F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft, Sikorsky helicopters, and radar systems.
The country is also developing domestic maintenance capabilities. Maintenance Aero Maroc (MAM) broke ground in October on an 8,000-square-meter hangar at Benslimane Airport for heavy maintenance operations on C-130 and F-16 aircraft. The facility, a collaboration between Moroccan, Belgian, and American partners, is expected to become operational by late 2026.
Morocco’s defense budget for 2026 reaches MAD 73 billion ($7.3 billion), representing 4% of GDP and marking a MAD 3.3 billion ($330 million) increase from 2025. Defense Minister Abdeltif Loudyi confirmed the budget supports personnel expansion, military investment, and industrial development initiatives across all armed forces components.
The radar support contract reinforces Morocco’s position as a strategic US partner in North Africa and demonstrates the country’s growing role in regional defense cooperation networks.
Recently, US Africa Command’s General Dagvin Anderson visited Morocco, during which he recalled the nearly 250-year US-Morocco partnership. His meetings and visit to Ben Guerir Air Base added to the ongoing security cooperation and shared priorities across Africa.
