To rebalance the forces in North Africa, Morocco would be negotiating the acquisition of thirty Russian Sukhoï Su-35 fighter jets. This targeted military reinforcement would directly respond to the regional arms race.
The city of Ceuta is the subject of increased Spanish military vigilance . Faced with the rapid modernization of the Moroccan arsenal, the army is intensifying its patrols and deterrence exercises to preserve the security balance in the Strait of Gibraltar.
The Spanish army is intensifying its surveillance and deterrence operations in Ceuta. This permanent strategic deployment aims to assert its ability to respond to the vast and rapid military modernization program currently being carried out by Morocco.
The Kingdom has increased its arms acquisitions by 12% between 2021 and 2025, according to Sipri. Driven by its partnerships with Washington and Tel Aviv, the country is now ranked 28th among the world’s largest importers of military systems.
The Spanish Air Force has carried out the first landing of an A400M in Melilla, a strategic milestone in the face of Morocco’s massive rearmament. This heavy transport aircraft strengthens the logistics of the enclave in a context of growing regional and military tensions.
The United States is maintaining its strategic bases at Rota and Morón in Spain, despite the withdrawal of tanker aircraft linked to the conflict with Iran. The massive investments committed to these sites rule out, for now, the option of relocating them to Morocco.
Naval Group is deploying a diplomatic and industrial strategy to convince Morocco to acquire two Scorpène submarines . Faced with Spanish and German competition, Paris is strengthening its strategic dialogue to secure this major contract in the Mediterranean.
Israeli company Elbit Systems officially announced in mid-February 2026 a contract covering 30 mm combat turrets and their ammunition. Scheduled over three years, the agreement concerns the integration of the advanced UT30 MK2 system on WhAP 8x8 infantry fighting vehicles. This technology stands out for its modular design and open architecture, allowing manned or unmanned operation according to operational needs.
Spain increased its arms sales to Morocco by 40% in 2025, reaching nearly 30 million euros, while Pedro Sánchez’s government maintains a strict veto on military exchanges with Israel.
Indian defense group MKU is studying the opening of an industrial unit in Morocco specializing in night vision and ballistic equipment. The project would establish New Delhi in North Africa through an operational partnership that already exists.
The initiative is led by the advanced capabilities directorate of the SETAF-AF task force. From April 20 to May 8, 2026, the effort aims to transform high-tech concepts into “concrete capabilities ready for the battlefield.” The contingent includes command-and-control systems, deep-strike solutions, and counterattack integrators, placing prototypes directly in the hands of warfighters for immediate operational evaluation.
The rivalry between Morocco and Algeria is undergoing an unprecedented strategic acceleration. Rabat is diversifying its military partners toward Central Europe, while Algiers is deploying Chinese electronic warfare systems and Russian fighter jets along its border.