Morocco Boosts Military Budget to $13 Billion for 2025

Since 2019, Morocco has considerably increased its defense spending, from 96.7 billion dirhams in 2019 to 115.5 billion in 2022, 124.7 billion in 2024 and 133 billion in 2025. Defense spending for this year includes nearly 53 billion dirhams for the administration of national defense, of which 45.356 billion for personnel and 7.632 billion for equipment, said Nadia Fettah, the Minister of Economy and Finance, in late October during the presentation of the budget to parliament.

In 2025, the kingdom plans to acquire aircraft, battle tanks and air defense systems for the Royal Armed Forces. The US State Department has approved the sale to Morocco of advanced medium-range air-to-air missiles and related equipment for an estimated $88.37 million, as well as GBU-39B small diameter bombs (SDB-I) and related equipment for an estimated $86 million.

Supported by the United States and Israel, Morocco is rearming to strengthen its influence in the Maghreb and ward off any potential attack from Algeria, its great rival. In addition, the kingdom has put in place the legal framework to develop the defense industry. Last year, two defense industrial zones were created, with tax incentives to attract national and international investors.