Morocco is set to receive Renault-made Sherpa, light armored vehicles from France.
The vehicles are equipped with Mistral 3, a very short range air defense missile system. Mistral 3 is currently in service with the French armed forces. It can be used from vehicles as well as surface ships and helicopters.
According to Spanish news outlet InfoDefensa, Morocco is set to receive the Sherpa vehicles from Renaus in the coming months.
The potential delivery of the military equipment from France to Morocco comes amid lingering diplomatic tensions between Rabat and Paris.
France’s decision to tighten consular services against Morocco in 2021 added insult to injury amid an already flaring crisis between the two countries due to Paris’ ambiguous position regarding Rabat’s territorial integrity.
Many observers also suspect France of being behind the latest hostile maneuvers at the European Parliament, which has been targeting Morocco with espionage claims despite lack of evidence.
During a recent interview, renowned Moroccan author Taher Benjelloun joined the chorus of several observers, who accused French President Emmanuel Macron of advocating hostile maneuvers against Rabat at the European parliament.
The author argued that Macron instructed Stephane Sejourne, President of the Renew Europe group at the EU Parliament, to push for the adoption of a “very anti-Morocco resolution” in January this year.
The author was referring to a resolution that the parliament adopted on January 19, accusing Morocco of “harassing” and “intimidating” journalists and activists. The EU Parliament also appeared to side with made claims accusing Morocco of espionage using spyware Pegasus.
However, a list of findings from an EU Parliament inquiry commission acknowledged the lack of evidence pointing to Morocco’s use of Pegasus to spy on activists, journalists, and foreign dignitaries. .
Despite lingering tensions, France remains one of the countries from which Morocco imports its military equipment. A 2023 SIPRI report published in March said Morocco imports 15% of its military equipment from France, while 6.8% comes from China.
Morocco’s main military equipment supplier is the US, with 76%.
