Morocco Bolsters Military Might: Apache Helicopters and Drones Fuel Arms Race with Algeria

Morocco has been engaged in an arms race with Algeria, its neighbor and eternal rival, for about ten years. The two countries have continued to increase their military budgets year after year, largely dedicated to the acquisition of the latest weapons and equipment. On March 5th, the Royal Moroccan Armed Forces (FAR) received American AH-64 Apache combat helicopters. "Morocco’s biggest rival is its immediate neighbor, Algeria, which relies on its wealth in resources. Algeria ranks third in the world in terms of military spending as a percentage of GDP, behind Ukraine and Israel," says the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung in a recent report cited by El Debate.

Algeria "seeks to assert its regional dominance, which poses a direct challenge to Morocco’s security," in a context of recurrent jihadist attacks in the Sahel region, the study notes, justifying Morocco’s acquisition of Turkish drones. "In April 2021, Morocco ordered 13 Bayraktar TB2 drones for $70 million, and six additional units were acquired in a subsequent transaction, bringing the total to 19 TB2 drones," the note recalls, specifying that these reconnaissance and combat drones have an endurance of 27 hours and a range of 150 kilometers. Enough to worry Spain. Last May, the U.S. State Department approved the sale to Morocco of 600 FIM-92 K Stinger Block I missiles and other related equipment, estimated at $825 million.

The Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung notes that Morocco has a preference for precision systems, such as the American F-16 Block 70/72 aircraft, whose delivery is scheduled for 2027. These fighters equipped with the active electronically scanned array (AESA) APG-83 radar are capable of reaching air and ground targets within a range of more than 550 kilometers. The acquisition of Israel’s Atmos 2000, a 155 mm howitzer with a range of 41 kilometers using extended-range ammunition, "further consolidates Morocco’s defensive position," the report adds, also highlighting Rabat’s purchase of Bayraktar TB2 and Akinci drones, advanced systems dedicated to intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions.