Morocco’s Military Surge: Billions Poured into Defense Amid Regional Tensions

Morocco has once again increased its defense budget. According to the draft finance bill submitted to Parliament, it will increase from 133 billion dirhams (approximately $13 billion) in 2025 to 157.171 billion dirhams ($15.7 billion) in 2026. Last year, the defense budget was 124.7 billion dirhams ($12.088 billion). The 2026 budget represents an increase of more than 24 billion dirhams ($2.62 billion) compared to two years ago.

This sharp increase in the budget is explained by the policy of modernizing the military’s capabilities and the construction of a national defense industry. Morocco is facing security challenges, including border tensions with Algeria and the need to counter modern air threats in an unstable region.

In September, Morocco received new American weapons to be used for border surveillance missions. These are M1117 armored vehicles, each equipped with a turret equipped with a 12.7 mm heavy machine gun and a 40 mm automatic grenade launcher. That same month, the kingdom was on the list of countries that will benefit from the allocation by the U.S. Department of Defense of a new $27 million contract modification to General Dynamics Land Systems Inc. for technical support for Abrams tanks.