US Approves $985 Million in Missile Sales to Morocco for Border Security

The requests expressed by the Moroccan government are not negligible. They concern the sale of 2,401 TOW 2A RF (BGM-71-4B-RF) missiles, and 28 TOW 2A RF (BGM-71-4B-RF) missiles, Fly-to-Buy for lot acceptance testing, then 400 M220A2 TOW and/or 400 M41 ITAS (Improved Target Acquisition System) launchers.

Also included in the requests are missile support equipment, government-furnished equipment, technical manuals/publications, spare parts, tools and test equipment, training and logistics support from the US government, contractor technical support, and other associated equipment and services. The cost of all this is estimated at $776 million, reports Médias24.

On September 11, 2019, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) announced that it had submitted the required certification informing Congress of this potential sale.

According to DSCA officials, "this proposed sale will support US foreign policy and national security by helping to improve the security of an important non-NATO ally that continues to be a significant force for political stability and economic progress in Africa."

US officials believe that "the proposed sale will improve Morocco’s ability to address current and future threats of terror from violent extremist organizations widespread throughout the region."

In addition, the additional ammunition provided by this sale will improve interoperability with the United States and other regional allies and strengthen Morocco’s ability to conduct coalition operations, as it has done in the past, during air sorties against the Islamic State in Syria and Iraq.