Morocco and US discuss military cooperation

Discussions of military cooperation, the defence industry and joint training were key topics at talks held on October 20th in Rabat, according to a report by the Moroccan government-friendly North Africa Post on the same day.

The talks were held by the US Africa Command (AFRICOM) Chief General Dagvin Anderson with Minister Delegate in charge of National Defense Administration Abdeltif Loudyi and Lt. General Mohammed Berrid, Inspector General of the Royal Armed Forces and Commander of the South Zone.

These talks came days after Morocco’s Minister of Economy and Finance, Nadia Fettah Alaoui, endorsed the Kingdom’s economic ties with Israel at the annual Monetary Fund and World Bank meetings in Washington, DC on October 17th.

The October 20th meeting was used to reaffirm the commitment to deepening US and Moroccan ties, including the participation of both nations in the annual “African Lion” military exercise that is designed to increase military cooperation.

“African Lion” has occurred annually since 2007, the multinational military exercise focuses on developing skills in areas like naval tactics, air defence, maritime rescue operations, live ammunition firing and how to counter weapons of mass destruction. In 2023, the focus was on utilising the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) missiles.

On April 11th, 2023, the US State Department approved the $524.2 million sale of 18 HIMARS and other equipment to Morocco. The State Department authorised a further sale of Javelin anti-tank missiles on March 19th, 2024; the sale was in response to Algeria’s record military spending in 2024 that some feared could fuel a regional conflict after Algeria signed arm deals with Russia and China.

According to reports on October 20th, 2024, Morocco planned to raise its defence budget to $13 billion in 2025, up from $12 billion in 2024.

It was reported on June 20th that Morocco hoped to reach a deal with US defence contractor Lockheed Martin to acquire F-35 fighter jets, making it the first Arab and African nation to acquire the state-of-the-art jets. This was despite US policy that has historically restricted the sale of the fifth-generation stealth jet in the Middle East to Israel.

The deal sparked concern for Algeria, the Morocco’s long-standing regional rival, as it was reported on June 3rd that the US had also pledged to provide technical assistance, training programs and logistical support, alongside the missiles and launch units.

Morocco also joined the production chain for F-16 fighter jets, according to reports on May 4th. Under a $50 million technology transfer agreement with the US, Morocco would receive components, technical data and services linked to the aircraft.

The military relationship between Morocco and the US has been strengthening over the last few years. Since 2013, Morocco has received equipment from the US worth $4,478 million, along with $135 million worth of funding from the US Foreign Military Financing since 2012.

North Africa Post, Maghrebi.org