Morocco to raise 2026 defence budget amid regional tensions
Members of the Moroccan royal armed forces (FAR) present arms during the joint US military exercise "African Lion" in the Tan-Tan region in southwestern Morocco on May 31, 2024. (Photo by FADEL SENNA / AFP) (Photo by FADEL SENNA/AFP via Getty Images)
Morocco will increase its 2026 defence budget by 17.6% to $15.7 billion, Yabiladi reported on October 20th, marking a 38.3% rise since 2022. The increase comes after Algeria’s announcement of a $24.6 billion military budget and its recent purchase of Russian fighter jets amid ongoing tensions over Western Sahara.
Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch’s government is diversifying military partnerships, strengthening ties with Israel and India, which includes a new tank production plant and drone tests.
The 2026 finance bill also raises health and education spending by 16%, including hiring 8,000 hospital staff, responding to youth protests over underfunded public services.
Yabiladi, Maghrebi.org
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