Morocco’s Naval Ambitions Surge: French Submarines on the Horizon

After the conclusion, in early September 2025, of a major contract for the acquisition of ten "Caracal" type helicopters from Airbus to strengthen the fleet of the Royal Air Force (RAF), Morocco would be in advanced negotiations to acquire French submarines for its Navy. The French offers, and more precisely those presented by the giant Naval Group, are among the most serious, according to the website specialized in defense affairs OPEXNEWS, adding that Paris is proposing to equip Morocco with Scorpène class submarines, known for their great operational efficiency and the multiplicity of their missions.

This is a necessity for Morocco, which must secure its maritime territory, its coastal heritage, its sovereignty over 3,500 kilometers of Atlantic and Mediterranean coastline. The Royal Navy does not have any submarines, Moroccan naval investments having been oriented in recent years towards the acquisition of the multi-mission frigate Mohammed VI and a number of "Sigma" corvettes equipped with advanced sonar systems. The absence of submarines appears to be a weak point in the maritime deterrence system and limits the ability to carry out reconnaissance and deep intervention missions under cover.

According to military experts, Morocco’s possession of a small fleet of two to three submarines represents the minimum required to ensure permanent operational availability.