French and German Shipbuilders Compete for Morocco’s First Submarine Contract

According to the French magazine La Tribune, the French naval group and the German manufacturer TKM are competing to build a submarine in Morocco. Morocco wants to acquire this state-of-the-art equipment to strengthen its naval force and counter any Algerian threat, and change the balance of power in the Strait of Gibraltar.

In addition to Morocco, the French manufacturer is competing for submarine contracts in 12 other countries, including the Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Egypt, India, Indonesia, the Philippines, Brazil, Argentina, Peru, Colombia and Chile, adds the French media.

Algeria, a neighboring country and great rival of Morocco, has four 636 (modernized version of the Russian Kilo) submarines and is preparing to receive two more. These submarines will be equipped with Kalibr cruise missiles, subsonic cruise missiles with a range of 2,400 kilometers.