US Approves $250 Million Sale of Advanced Weapons for Morocco’s F-16 Fleet

The US State Department has made a decision "approving a potential foreign military sale to the Government of Morocco of Joint Stand Off Weapons (JSOW) and related equipment for an estimated cost of $250 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency has today (April 11, 2023, ed.) issued the required certification informing Congress of this potential sale," a statement said. Raytheon Missiles & Defence company, Tucson, Arizona, is the principal contractor.

With this green light, Morocco will be able to equip its F-16 aircraft with 40 AGM-154 C (JSOM) bombs. Inert air training missiles, free flight vehicles (FFV), containers, mission planning systems, ammunition storage security, training, operational flight program software development, transportation, test tools and equipment, spare parts and repair, technical documentation, training equipment and other related elements are included in this sale.

"The proposed sale will improve Morocco’s ability to address current and future threats [...] and provide enhanced capabilities for the effective defense of critical maritime routes. The proposed sale of these missiles and their support will increase the potential of the Royal Moroccan Air Force’s maritime partnership and align its capabilities with existing regional capabilities. Morocco will have no difficulty absorbing these weapons into its armed forces."