US approves $825 million missile deal to strategic ally Morocco

Despite Morocco appearing to edge forward in influencing countries around the world to back its territorial claims to Western Sahara and Algeria looking more each day like its losing the case, the former is soldiering ahead with military procurement at an alarming rate – mainly from the US.

A statement released by the Defence Security Cooperation Agency on the 16th of April stated that the department had approved a potential sale of military weapons to Morocco, with the deal being valued at around 825 million dollars.

According to government financed Morocco World News, the requested purchase includes 600 FIM-92K Stinger Block I missiles alongside contractor engineering, logistics, and technical support services.

The US Defence Security Cooperation Agency has stated: “There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defence readiness as a result of this proposed sale.”

They further explained that the aim of the sale is to support the foreign policy and national security of an important non-NATO ally.

The US has been increasing its ties with Morocco recently, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio giving recognition to Morocco’s sovereignty in the Western Sahara at a meeting in Washington on April 5th.

Now with this new arms deal increasing bilateral relations, it is clear that the US and Morocco are developing a strong international relationship, with the US seeing Morocco as the best outlet for influence in North Africa.

This was backed in the agency’s statement when they described Morocco as an “important force for political stability and economic progress in North Africa.”

Morocco has been increasing its military prowess for decades, with the majority of its development coming from the US.

The US has supplied 91% of Morocco’s arm supply, with Morocco receiving equipment worth 4,478 million dollars since 2013, on top of this, US Foreign Military Financing worth $135 million to Morocco since 2012.

Though it is not just the US that is backing Moroccan control in North Africa, as countries such as Italy, France, and the UK have all extended their bilateral relations with the North African country in recent months.

Italy’s ambassador to Morocco called the country a “genuine hub” between Europe and Africa.

Morocco appears to be increasing its power in the region, and with the current situation in the Western Sahara developing into a diplomatic row between Algeria and France, Morocco is forging a clear path to international recognition in the region.

Defence Security Cooperation Agency, Morocco World News, Maghrebi.org