France’s Naval Group Poised to Win Moroccan Submarine Contract

Naval Group could benefit from the restoration of diplomatic relations between Morocco and France. The French naval shipbuilder has a good chance of obtaining a contract for the construction of a submarine for Morocco. The kingdom has been struggling for years to acquire this equipment that is lacking in its Royal Navy. Rumors had circulated about an order for a submarine by Morocco from Thyssen-Krupp Marine Systems (TKMS), the world leader in the field, or the Spanish Navantia. But this information has not been confirmed, according to la Presse de la Manche.

Faced with security challenges in the MENA region and the Mediterranean, Morocco needs a submarine, or even two, according to some sources. On the one hand, Algeria has four Russian-type Kilo submarines and has ordered two more, and on the other hand, Spain has two submarines to monitor the coast, the strait and the Alboran Sea, the balance of power is not in favor of the kingdom which wants to quickly change the situation.

Naval Group was represented in the delegation that accompanied the French president to Morocco. Major contracts worth a total of 10 billion euros were concluded during this trip by Emmanuel Macron to Rabat. Among them are those relating to the supply of high-speed trains to serve the Kenitra-Marrakech line (Alstom), the operation of a container terminal in the Gibraltar area (CMA CGM) and the installation in Casablanca of an aircraft engine maintenance center (Safran).