Why Morocco is massively modernizing its army: tanks, missiles, drones and military service

For "Descifrando la Guerra", Morocco is implementing one of the most ambitious military modernization plans in its contemporary history. The Spanish platform specialized in geopolitical and military studies explains that this modernization is based on a comprehensive strategic vision including the restructuring of the defense system, the development of local military industries, the acquisition of advanced weapon systems, and the strengthening of human resource preparation through the reinstatement of compulsory military service since 2019.

Morocco has acquired 222 M1A1 SA tanks (2015 agreement) and 162 M1A2 SEP v3 tanks (December 2023), making it one of the largest users of American Abrams tanks in the region. These weapons are equipped with advanced armor systems and a "munition data link system" allowing the programming of smart shells before firing, such as the M1147. Other tanks acquired: about 50 Sino-Pakistani VT-1A tanks. Morocco has also introduced modern tactical armored systems, including: 50 American M-ATV vehicles and 200 Turkish Cobra II vehicles for the army, replacing the French VAB and AMX-10 RC vehicles, most of which have reached their operational limits.

The U.S. Department of Defense has approved the sale to Morocco of 612 Javelin FGM-148F missiles and 200 portable launchers. Weapons intended to improve the Moroccan infantry’s ability to deal with modern armored threats. The kingdom expects to receive 600 Stinger FIM-92 K missiles to strengthen portable air defense units, particularly against drones and helicopters. Morocco has acquired 12 PHL-03 AR2 rocket launchers (300 mm caliber - 130 km range) and 36 Weishi WS rocket launchers (400 mm caliber - up to 400 km range) to replace the obsolete Soviet BM-21 rockets.

Morocco is the first country in North Africa to possess the American HIMARS and ATACMS missile systems (300 km range). With about 230 aircraft, including Turkish Bayraktar TB2 and Akinci; Israeli Heron, Harop, Hermes 900; and Chinese Wing Loong 1 and TB-001 Scorpion, the kingdom ranks second in Africa after Egypt in the number of drones. Morocco has also acquired 24 Sky Dragon 50 (medium range) and 4 FD-2000B (long range) Chinese batteries, systems considered among the most advanced Chinese exports.

In addition to the acquisition of weapons and equipment, the kingdom has also placed great importance on the training of its soldiers, whose strength is estimated by the same source at around 235,000 active personnel and 250,000 reservists. The reinstatement of compulsory military service has been one of the major pillars of this evolution, with Rabat aiming to ensure a trained and operational human reserve, quickly mobilizable in the event of a crisis, the Spanish platform points out. And to conclude: "Morocco is consistently and rapidly moving towards the construction of a modern army based on: the diversification of armament sources (United States, China, Turkey, Israel, France...), the development of local defense industries, the construction of advanced missile and air defense systems, the modernization of armored vehicles and artillery, as well as the strengthening of human resources and the overhaul of the defensive doctrine to protect the Atlantic space."