[CLSTR]
< Back to situations

Monitor this situation.

[SITUATION] · [QUIET] · [INTERNATIONAL]

12 clusters · 27 sources · 60 days · First seen · Last updated

Morocco military and strategic partnership expansion

Overview

Morocco is undergoing a period of military modernization and strategic partnership expansion. The nation is strengthening ties with the United States through economic and defense initiatives, utilizing Florida as a gateway for industrial and technological investment. In the defense sector, cooperation with U.S. Africa Command (Africom) has focused on testing long-range precision strike capabilities at the African Multidomain Training and Experimentation Center (AMTEC) in the Tan Tan region.

Recent developments highlight significant aerial defense upgrades. L3Harris Technologies has completed the first 35 Viper Shield electronic warfare systems for F-16 Block 70/72 fighters. To support the integration of 25 new F-16C/D Block 72 fighters, a $42.10 million contract was awarded to CAE Inc. for full-mission trainers. The Marrakech Airshow 2026, held October 7–10, featured the historic debut of the American F-35A fifth-generation fighter jet. During the event, Lockheed Martin hosted an Industry Day to engage Moroccan suppliers in its global defense supply chain. Additionally, the Royal Moroccan Armed Forces have engaged with U.S. specialists, including the Utah National Guard, to discuss integrating cyber defense into the African Lion multinational military exercises.

A major milestone in aircraft procurement occurred when the first F-16V Block 72 destined for Morocco successfully completed its inaugural test flight in the United States. This specific variant utilizes Pratt & Whitney F100-PW-229 engines to facilitate integration with Morocco’s existing fleet. To support these capabilities, Lockheed Martin is partnering with Maintenance Aéro Maroc to develop an 8,000-square-meter maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) center in Benslimane.

Procurement has also expanded through European and Israeli suppliers. Airbus Helicopters finalized a deal for 10 H225M Caracal helicopters, while Israel has emerged as Morocco’s second-largest arms supplier. European cooperation remains active, following the ‘Oryx 26’ joint aerial exercise with France in late 2026.

Entities

Morocco · United States · Royal Moroccan Air Force · France · Royal Armed Forces

Timeline

  1. [INTERNATIONAL] 2 sources
    Morocco's first F-16V Block 72 completes inaugural test flight

    The first F-16V Block 72 fighter jet for Morocco has completed its successful inaugural test flight, marking a key milestone in the nation's advanced military aviation procurement program.

  2. [INTERNATIONAL] 2 sources
    U.S. Defense delegation visits Morocco to strengthen military ties

    A U.S. Department of Defense delegation visited Morocco to discuss aviation modernization and strengthen the strategic military alliance and defense cooperation roadmap through 2036.

  3. [TECHNOLOGY] 4 sources
    Marrakech Airshow 2026 to feature F-35A debut and Lockheed Martin defense displays

    The Marrakech Airshow 2026 will feature the debut of the F-35A fighter jet and Lockheed Martin's defense technologies, alongside discussions on expanding Moroccan cyber defense through US military cooperation.

  4. [INTERNATIONAL] 2 sources
    Germany approves 19 million euros in military exports to Morocco

    Germany approved 19.27 million euros in military exports to Morocco in 2025, focusing on surveillance and target detection technology, amid growing strategic and defense cooperation between the two nations.

  5. [INTERNATIONAL] 3 sources
    Moroccan and French forces conduct joint aerial exercises

    Moroccan F-16 pilots and technical crews participated in the “Oryx 26” joint military exercise with French Rafale fighters at the Orange Air Base, simulating electronic warfare and air defense scenarios.

  6. [INTERNATIONAL] 2 sources
    Moroccan F-16s intercept French Rafale jets during military exercise

    Moroccan F-16s intercepted two French Rafale F4 jets during the Oryx 2026 bilateral military exercise in France.

  7. [INTERNATIONAL] 2 sources
    Israel becomes Morocco's second-largest arms supplier

    Israel has become Morocco's second-largest arms supplier, providing 24% of its military imports. Morocco is now considering integrating Israeli LORA missiles with its US-made HIMARS systems.

  8. [INTERNATIONAL] 4 sources
    Morocco conducts joint military exercises with France and the U.S

    Morocco is conducting joint military exercises with France and the United States, focusing on F-16 fighter jet interoperability and small unmanned aerial system (drone) training.

  9. [INTERNATIONAL] 5 sources
    Morocco expands military capabilities with Airbus and U.S. defense deals

    Morocco is boosting its military hardware with 10 Airbus H225M Caracal helicopters and ten U.S.-contracted HIMARS launchers, cementing its position as Africa's top heavy arms importer.

  10. [INTERNATIONAL] 6 sources
    Morocco modernizes military through cooperation with Israel

    Morocco is modernizing its military through deep cooperation with Israel, which has become its second-largest arms supplier after the US, focusing on drones, air defense, and joint industrial projects.

  11. [TECHNOLOGY] 3 sources
    Morocco advances air force modernization with US technology

    Morocco is upgrading its air force with new Viper Shield electronic warfare systems for F-16s, C-130 transport maintenance in the US, and advanced CAE flight simulators for pilot training.

  12. [INTERNATIONAL] 4 sources
    Morocco expands strategic ties with U.S. in investment and defense

    Morocco is expanding its partnership with the U.S. by targeting Florida-based investments in high-tech industries and enhancing military cooperation through the AMTEC innovation hub in Tan Tan.

Sources

africa.businessinsider.com · defensa.com · dmilt.com · esut.de · fesnews.net · journaux.ma · lacronicabadajoz.com · lacronicadebadajoz.elperiodicoextremadura.com · larazon.es · lecollimateur.ma · lemaroc360.com · maghreb-intelligence.com · marokko.nl · mid-east.info · militaryleak.com · northafricapost.com · novi.ba · ocio.diariodemallorca.es · ocio.diarioinformacion.com · ocio.farodevigo.es · planobrazil.com · siliconvalley.ma · southfront.press · theobjective.com · vijesti.ba · web.eldia.es · weblavoz.com.ar

This summary has been updated 11 times: see revision history