Morocco in Talks with Turkey to Acquire 15 Advanced Naval Patrol Boats

Since last July, Morocco has been in discussions with Turkey for the acquisition of boats from the Turkish shipyard Ares Shipyard, for the Royal Navy, reports Tactital Report, a website specializing in security and defense issues in the MENA region. This involves the acquisition of 10 ARES 35 FPB fast patrol boats and 5 ARES 80 SAT boats, it is specified.

Developed by Ares Shipyard, the ARES 35 FPB fast patrol boat measures 11.9 meters. The boat has an exceptional speed capability of over 35 knots, and is equipped with seaworthiness characteristics that meet the most difficult environmental conditions, the Turkish shipyard specifies on its website.

With a length of 24 meters, the ARES 80 SAT vessel is equipped with a self-stabilized remote-controlled naval weapon system to provide versatile firepower that can be adapted to a wide variety of potential scenarios. Designed for fast attack, surveillance and patrol missions carried out by special forces, the craft can reach a speed of 45 knots.

The acquisition of these fast patrol boats for the Moroccan coast guard will strengthen the Royal Navy’s capabilities to monitor the coasts and fight against illegal immigration and smuggling networks, writes the Far-Maroc forum on its Facebook page.