Morocco Trains Navy Officers on Portuguese Submarines Ahead of Potential Purchase

Morocco has a deep interest in developing its maritime and submarine capabilities, said Joao Gomes Cravinho, Portuguese Minister of Defense, as reported by Le360. According to the Minister, Moroccan crews are undergoing intensive training on board Portuguese submarines ("Arpao" and "Tridente"). Speaking to the Portuguese news agency (LUSA), the Portuguese Minister of Defense reveals an ambitious project of Morocco: the acquisition of submarines.

To this end, he believes that it is only natural for naval officers to be equipped with the operation of the navy and submarines of neighboring and friendly countries. Moreover, the Moroccan submarines, adds Minister Cravinho, will be deployed in the same areas as their Portuguese counterparts, hence the need for mixing and exchanging information between the crews of the two countries.

The daily Al Ahdath Al Maghribia reports on the meeting between the Portuguese Minister of Defense and Abdellatif Loudiyi, Moroccan Minister Delegate in charge of National Defense Administration, last Friday, July 13, in the São julião da barra fortress. On this occasion, Cravinho’s guest visited the naval base, "Lisbon", and its main command. The "Alfeite" shipyard, renowned as a famous basin teeming with Portuguese military ships, will also be visited. This shipyard is the result of the partnership between Morocco and Portugal, with the advantage of technology transfer.

Portugal and Morocco are thus working to strengthen their partnership in the field of submarines.