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Rabat – Morocco will take part in the 66th edition of UNITAS, the world’s oldest multinational maritime exercise, scheduled to run from September 15 to October 6, 2025, along the American East Coast.
The large-scale exercise, whose name means “unity” in Latin, will bring together the 25 allied and partner nations of the United States, including France, Italy, Spain, and Morocco. Activities will be held across multiple sites, including Mayport in Florida, Norfolk in Virginia, and Camp Lejeune in North Carolina.
According to the US Navy, nearly 8,000 military personnel, dozens of ships, submarines, and aircraft will be deployed for what is expected to be one of the most comprehensive training events in recent years.
For Morocco, participation in UNITAS 2025 is indicative of the country’s continued push to modernize its naval capabilities and deepen interoperability with international partners. The exercise will allow Moroccan forces to engage in advanced training scenarios such as amphibious operations, live-fire drills, cyber defense, maritime rescue, and joint-force cooperation.
These exercises also serve as an opportunity for Morocco to reinforce its position as a reliable partner in international security networks, demonstrating its growing role in regional and global maritime security. This is particularly timely and important as the North African country continues to invest in modernizing its navy.
This year’s UNITAS will feature cutting-edge technology, including hybrid systems and unmanned naval platforms, reflecting the growing importance of innovation in maritime operations.
Beyond tactics and technology, the exercise carries a symbolic weight. UNITAS 2025 will coincide with the 250th anniversary of the US Navy, commemorating what officials describe as a legacy of safeguarding national interests, deterring aggression, and promoting global security.
Rear Admiral Carlos Sardiello, Commander of the US Fourth Fleet, stated that the exercise is not solely about technical proficiency. “By bringing together 25 nations, we are not only strengthening tactical skills but also providing a concrete example of shared regional responsibility. We are reinforcing trust and unity, which are essential to confronting hemispheric challenges side by side,” he said.
In addition to the US, France, Italy, Spain and Morocco, participating nations include Argentina, Belize, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, the Netherlands, Jamaica, Japan, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, and Singapore. Since its creation by US and Latin American navies more than six decades ago, UNITAS has become a cornerstone of maritime cooperation.
