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Doha – Recent reports from various defense and security sources suggest Morocco could be on the verge of becoming the first Arab and African nation to acquire the advanced F-35 stealth fighter jet.
These claims, which first emerged on the French-speaking website Identité Juive in late 2024, have gained significant traction, particularly following Donald Trump’s return to office.
The development tracks with intensifying US-Morocco military ties, as General Charles Brown reaffirmed during a February 11 call with Lieutenant General Mohammed Berrid.
According to multiple reports, Morocco is expected to receive official documentation from both Israel and the Pentagon in the coming months, confirming the acquisition of 32 F-35 stealth fighter aircraft.
The deal’s estimated value exceeds $17 billion over 45 years, covering both procurement and maintenance costs.
Morocco’s pursuit of the F-35 has a longer history than these recent developments suggest. Back in December 2021, Israeli outlet Jafaj reported that Morocco was making “far-reaching efforts” to acquire the advanced fighter jet.
At that time, sources indicated the UAE had offered to “cover the cost” of the jets if Morocco could gain US approval. The latest generation of the F-35 multirole fighter is estimated to cost at least $78 million per unit.
According to a European source quoted by Jafaj, “Morocco needs more planes with a serious potential for war raising with its Algerian neighbors.”
The country’s air force was then primarily relying on F-16s, which could be outclassed by Algeria’s planned acquisition of 14 Russian Su-57 jets announced in January 2021.
The path to this potential breakthrough began as early as 2020 when Morocco sought Israel’s assistance in navigating political and administrative barriers with US authorities.
A crucial meeting in November 2021 between then-Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz and Moroccan Defense Minister Abdellatif Loudiyi proved instrumental in advancing these negotiations.
As reported by Aviation Week Network analyst Brandon Patrick, “In 2020, following the normalization of diplomatic relations between Israel and Morocco, officials from the Moroccan Ministry of Defense approached their Israeli counterparts seeking assistance in acquiring Lockheed Martin’s F-35 Joint Strike Fighter.”
The orchestration of these developments couldn’t be more intriguingly timed. Israeli and US officials had previously supported Morocco’s bid to purchase the F-35 five years ago, but the contract remained unsigned before President Trump’s first term concluded. His return to office has reportedly revitalized the Moroccan plan.
Technical specifications and capabilities
The F-35, developed by Lockheed Martin, represents the pinnacle of modern fighter jet technology. It comes in three primary variants: the F-35A, a conventional takeoff and landing (CTOL) version; the F-35B, a short takeoff and vertical landing (STOVL) model; and the F-35C, a carrier-based version designed for naval operations.
These variants share a common airframe but have modifications specific to their roles, such as the F-35B’s lift fan for vertical landings and the F-35C’s reinforced landing gear for carrier operations.
Powered by the Pratt & Whitney F135 engine, the aircraft achieves speeds exceeding Mach 1.6 and maintains a combat radius of approximately 669 nautical miles, depending on the variant. Its advanced stealth features significantly reduce radar cross-section, making it difficult for enemy systems to detect.
The aircraft’s sophisticated sensor suite includes the AN/APG-81 radar for advanced targeting and situational awareness. It also features a Distributed Aperture System (DAS) providing pilots with 360-degree battlefield awareness and missile tracking capabilities.
The F-35’s electronic warfare systems enable it to jam and evade enemy radar systems, drastically enhancing survivability in contested environments.
The US committed to ensuring Morocco’s military superiority
The potential acquisition comes amid escalating regional tensions, particularly with neighboring Algeria over the Western Sahara dispute.
Algeria has maintained strong military and diplomatic ties with Russia, recently signing a contract for 14 Su-57 Felon stealth fighters as part of a broader military agreement that includes Su-34 and Su-35 aircraft.
On 12 February, Algerian state media confirmed that the Algerian Air Force had acquired Russian fifth-generation Su-57 fighter jets and that Algerian military personnel were being trained in Russia.
This development has sparked what analysts describe as an emerging arms race in North Africa.
Algeria’s support for the separatist Polisario Front in the Western Sahara dispute has been a major factor driving Morocco’s military modernization efforts. Since Morocco retook its southern provinces in 1975, Algeria has provided political backing to the Polisario Front and hosted what it claims to be Sahrawi refugees.
Diplomatic relations further deteriorated in August 2021 when Algeria severed ties with Morocco, citing alleged “hostile actions” related to the dispute.
Mohamed Etayyar, a writer, analyst, professor, and researcher in security and strategic studies specializing in the Middle East, North Africa, and the Sahel region, in an interview with Morocco World News (MWN), stated that “The United States, especially in the last four years, appears highly committed to ensuring Morocco’s military superiority in the region.”
“Through various purchases in this aspect, it seems that the United States has been providing Morocco with highly sophisticated and precise weapons,” he noted.
He explained that “Morocco’s acquisition of this type of aircraft would greatly enhance its defensive capabilities,” adding that “this development has special significance, as Morocco maintains strategic military relationships through treaties.”
“Furthermore,” Etayyar observed, “this aligns with Morocco’s larger project of becoming a weapons manufacturing state. These matters are interconnected.”
According to Aviation Week forecasts, Morocco’s current fighter fleet includes a mix of Block 52+ C and D aircraft, soon to be upgraded to the block 72 V standard, alongside 24 new-build Vipers entering service.
If the F-35 deal materializes, Morocco would field a larger fleet of these fifth-generation fighters than several NATO allies, including Spain, Portugal, Singapore, Romania, Czech Republic, Greece, and Denmark.
This potential acquisition aligns with Morocco’s broader push to enhance its defense capabilities, a strategy underlined by its recent decision to boost the 2025 defense budget to $13 billion.
As part of this effort, the country has secured cutting-edge military assets, including AH-64E Apache helicopters, M1A2 SEPv3 Abrams tanks, Bradley armored vehicles, and MQ-9B SeaGuardian drones.
The F-35 was prominently featured at the 7th Marrakech Air Show, held from October 30 to November 2, 2024, under the patronage of King Mohammed VI and with the support of the Royal Moroccan Air Force.
The event showcased over 300 exhibitors and hosted 100 international delegations, where Morocco also displayed its first Boeing AH-64E Apache helicopter, part of an order for 24 units currently in production.
Amid a rapidly deteriorating security landscape across the Sahel and North Africa – where extremist violence, political upheaval, and shifting alliances are redrawing the region’s military map – this acquisition stands to mark a profound reconfiguration of the balance of power.
In a hypothetical aerial engagement between Algeria’s Su-57 and Morocco’s potential F-35 fleet, several factors would come into play.
The Su-57’s agility and thrust-vectoring engines could provide advantages in close-range combat, while the F-35’s stealth and advanced sensor fusion capabilities might allow it to detect and engage targets at greater distances before being detected itself.
If the deal proceeds, Morocco would become the first non-Israeli F-35 operator in the MENA region, potentially opening doors for future sales to other Arab nations.
Israel, which plans to operate 100 F-35Is by 2035, would maintain its qualitative edge through more advanced and timely upgrades.
The broader implications extend beyond military capabilities. This acquisition could represent a dramatic entrenchment of Morocco’s strategic alignment with the United States and Israel, following the signing of the Abraham Accords in 2020. This represents a shift away from traditional reliance on European allies, particularly France.
While final confirmation awaits official announcement, the convergence of multiple reports and sources suggests that Morocco may indeed be on the cusp of a historic military acquisition that could signal a seismic shift in the regional military balance.
