Morocco Receives First of $4.25 Billion AH-64E Apache Helicopter Order

"The world’s most powerful attack helicopter is delivered to Morocco," can be read on X, in the caption of two photos of an AH-64 E Apache helicopter. Two Reddit users have confirmed this acquisition by posting images of three Apaches in Moroccan colors taking off from Midland/Odessa airfield in Texas. In the photos, the identification numbers 2403 and 2404 can be easily read on two of the aircraft. The third one is not visible, reports The Objective.

The Apaches left Boeing’s helicopter factory in Mesa, Arizona, and were transported by cargo planes and then ships to Morocco, as indicated by the American manufacturer, which had announced the start of the delivery process for these aircraft. This is the first time the FAR has acquired a combat helicopter. Currently, the Moroccan army has a fleet of 23 French Gazelle SA342s, 47 Bell 205 utility helicopters, five Bell 206s, 26 SA330 Puma transport helicopters and 16 CH-47 Chinook tandem-rotor helicopters.

The contract with Boeing for the purchase of the Apaches was signed at the end of 2019 and production started in mid-November 2023. This order also includes the supply of accessories (radars, simulators, etc.) and spare parts, the training of pilots and the maintenance of the aircraft. The AH-64E combat helicopter is equipped with powerful T700-GE-701D engines. With a gross weight of 6,838 kg and a maximum operational weight of 10,432 kg, it can reach a maximum speed of 279 km/h. It is considered one of the most advanced and deadly attack helicopters in the world.

On January 20, 2025, the U.S. State Department released a report highlighting the good military cooperation between Washington and Rabat. Since 2013, Morocco has purchased 222 M1A1 Abrams tanks, two C-130H aircraft and 600 M113A3 armored personnel carriers from its American partner, the report states, announcing Morocco’s upcoming acquisition of 25 F-16C/D Block 72 aircraft. Morocco has also recently acquired HIMARS missiles, 40 AGM-154C 500-kilogram air-to-ground missiles and 20 AIM-9X-2 Sidewinder air-to-air missiles.