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Rabat — Morocco and France are expected to finalize a significant defense agreement during Emmanuel Macron’s visit to Rabat, according to reports.
La Tribune reported today that during the visit, Morocco may potentially agree on purchasing 12 to 18 Caracal helicopters from Airbus Helicopters company.
The deal is estimated between €600 and €800 million, the report added.
“If successful, the counteract would benefit French industries, including Safran Helicopter Engines, based in Marignane and Borders,” La Tribune added.
The news outlet also detailed Morocco selected Embraer to supply its air force with the new tactical transport aircraft.
“Airbus is in talks with Royal Air Maroc to sell A220, A320, and A330 aircraft to renew part of the airline’s fleet, which until now has been almost exclusively Boeing,” the report added.
In September, Elysee Palace announced that Macron would visit Morocco in October at King Mohammed VI’s invitation.
The visit will follow France’s historic decision to recognize Morocco’s full sovereignty over its southern provinces in Western Sahara. The decision ended the political tensions the two countries experienced in the past few years.
As for the potential military deal, it is part of Morocco’s ongoing campaign seeking to upgrade its capacity in the sector. .
In 2024, Morocco dedicated a fund of $12.88 billion to its defense industry. The past few years also witnessed heavy investment in military purchases.
Global Firepower Index rankings in January 2024 ranked Morocco as having the 61st strongest military out of 145 countries.
One of the recent purchases included a heavy equipment transporter shipment that Morocco bought from the United States.
The purchases include A1 tractors and 635NL trailers. The US remains the North African country’s top supplier in military equipment, although France is also high on the list.
