US Approves $12 Billion F-16 Fighter Jet Sale to Morocco in Historic Defense Deal

According to a press release published on the website of the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency, Morocco has been able to obtain all the necessary certifications to procure new military equipment. We are talking about 25 F-16C/D Block 72 fighter jets, the associated equipment, as well as about sixty small diameter bombs-GBU-39/B (SDB I), 36 FMU-139 D/B rockets and, among other things, forty common helmet-mounted cueing systems (JHMCS).

If this sale goes through, this transaction will cost Morocco $3.7 billion. Included in this amount are follow-up and after-sales service, including the provision of support equipment, personnel training and training equipment, publications and technical documentation, support and test equipment, simulators...

The US agency estimates that this sale will "help improve the security of an important non-NATO ally, who continues to be a major force for political stability and economic progress in North Africa."

Morocco is in the top 25 of the world’s largest arms importers. The United States has been Morocco’s largest arms supplier with 62% of its total purchases.