Morocco’s Military Emerges as Regional Leader in Combating Nuclear and Chemical Threats, US Diplomats Say

During a ceremony marking the completion of a six-year program (2014-2021) on NRBC threats, the United States awarded certificates of competence and recognition to 40 military personnel from the NRBC Intervention Company of the USS of the FAR in Kénitra. Among them were female personnel. These soldiers are "fully capable" of carrying out missions to combat NRBC threats. On this occasion, the Chargé d’Affaires at the US Embassy in Rabat, David Greene, indicated that the relations between his country and Morocco continue to strengthen, and that this exceptional military relationship has only been reinforced in recent months, thanks to joint training programs like this one.

The elements of the NRBC company of the FAR received training in the detection, identification and securing of chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear risks, through the use of the most advanced equipment available as part of this cooperation program initiated by the US Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA). The cost of this program amounts to $16 million.

"The FAR are capable of deploying quickly within Morocco and across the region to deal with this kind of threat, including the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, industrial accidents and natural disasters," said the American diplomat. In the same vein, Captain Yassine El Khadiri, commander of the NRBC company of the USS of the FAR, assured that the FAR have specialized entities in NRBC protection equipped with more advanced technological means.