Morocco’s Defense Budget Surges to $11.4 Billion, Rivaling Spain’s Military Spending

Morocco continues to strengthen and modernize its army, in a context of crisis with Algeria, conflict in the Sahara and terrorist threats in the Sahel region. In 2024, the kingdom will devote more than 124.7 billion dirhams (11.4 billion euros), or a little more than 9% of its Gross Domestic Product (GDP), to the acquisition of state-of-the-art weapons and equipment. This record Moroccan military budget will also be used to create 7,000 additional direct jobs and more than 50,000 indirect jobs, reports The Objective.

With the help of the United States and Israel, its main military allies, Morocco is working to strengthen its drone fleet and modernize its fighter jets, according to a recent report from the Moroccan Institute of Political Analysis. 76% of the weapons purchased by the kingdom between 2017 and 2021 come from the United States, which should also provide it with 25 F-16C/D Block 72 fighter jets, and modernize 23 F-16 aircraft for around 209 million dollars. Morocco has also acquired the Barak MX air defense and anti-missile system manufactured by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), it is recalled.

Meanwhile, Spain’s military budget barely exceeds 1% of its GDP. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez committed last summer to doubling this military budget to reach 2% of GDP "between 2028 and 2030", as recommended by NATO. Last year, Spain had devoted a total of 11.3 billion euros to military spending. According to an agreement approved in April, 742.9 million euros will be allocated to the purchase of weapons, 16.5 million to the purchase of equipment for the Military Emergency Unit (UME) and 76 million to the construction of defense infrastructure over the period 2024-2033.