Morocco Expands Military Arsenal with Major French Arms Purchases

Colonel Salahedinne Reizouni thus confirms the information published at the beginning of this year, announcing the order by Morocco of 36 trucks equipped with an artillery system [CAESAr] produced by Nexter as well as, for around thirty million euros, VL-MICA and Mistral 3 missiles from MBDA. That’s not all. The military official also mentioned the "project to acquire Arquus light trucks and VAB Mk3" as well as that concerning "high-sea patrol boats", details the same source.

The Moroccan army currently has many armored vehicles acquired from France in the 1970s/1980s, including more than 300 Armored Personnel Carriers [VAB], available in several versions [VAB VTM, VAB VTT, VAB MEPHISTO, etc].

As for the high-sea patrol boats, the Royal Moroccan Navy plans to acquire two units. The Spanish shipbuilder Navantia was still recently in a good position to deliver two Avante 1400 type ships, for around 250 million euros. But due to a territorial dispute in the Mediterranean, relations between Rabat and Madrid have rather cooled since the end of 2019. Also, the French track, embodied by Kership, the joint venture of Naval Group and Piriou, has certain chances. The French offer would be based on two Adroit type patrol boats, informs the document.

The Royal Moroccan Navy has several ships of French design, including the multi-mission frigate [FREMM] "Mohammed VI", the Floréal class frigates "Mohammed V" and "Hassan II" as well as the patrol vessel "Bir Anzarane" [Raidco Marine], which bears the name of a battle that opposed the Moroccan royal forces and the Polisario Front in the Sahara in 1979.