Morocco Boosts Defense Budget by 30% for 2020, Citing Personnel Costs and Equipment Upgrades

Creation of new budget items, salary increases and additional charges resulting from military service. These are among the reasons justifying the increase in the national defense budget, for the account of 2020.

A fund estimated at nearly 111 billion dirhams (10.35 billion euros) is planned for advance commitment for the planned acquisition expenses from 2021, reports Medias24. In 2019, this advance commitment authorization for 2020 was around 96.7 billion DH.

In detail, part of the budget will be allocated to personnel. With the creation of 5,000 additional budgetary positions in the Finance Bill, the increase in salaries and the charges of the 15,000 conscripts, personnel expenses increase from 24,330 MDH in 2019 to 33,167 MDH in 2020.

Another part of the budget will be devoted to the acquisition of equipment. In this sense, major arms contracts will be signed.

In total, Apache helicopters, "probably 24 units, for delivery starting in 2024", 12 light transport helicopters currently under negotiation to replace the Agusta Bell 206, 24 tactical transport helicopters, an electronic warfare aircraft, a American Patriot Pac3 battery and 25 new F16s will be acquired.

Similarly, the fleet of patrol boats of the Royal Navy and the chain of radars and air and coastal detection means will be strengthened.