Morocco Boosts Military Spending to $5 Billion, 4% of GDP

Morocco will devote this year 4.8 billion euros to the acquisition of military weapons, an increase of 54% compared to 2011. A military budget considered "moderate and realistic" by the Moroccan Minister of Defense, Abdelatif Loudiyi, who estimated last December that it was "insufficient, given the multiple missions of the Royal Armed Forces and the security threats in the area."

Morocco has acquired 90% of its weapons from the United States, one of its military partners, 9.2% from France and barely 0.3% from the United Kingdom, making it the 55th military power in the world out of 140. The kingdom has gained its place by buying 140 fighters, 64 combat helicopters and 24 Apaches from the Americans. It also expresses interest in three Israeli defense systems, including the Iron Dome.

Morocco and Algeria have been engaged in an arms race for years. Tensions between the two countries have been rising since 2021, to the point where some experts have mentioned the risk of armed conflict. A conflict that would be to the advantage of Morocco with the some 400,000 soldiers that make up the Royal Armed Forces (FAR).