Spain’s Navantia Nears Completion of Advanced Patrol Vessel for Moroccan Navy

"The contract for the acquisition by the Royal Moroccan Navy of a high-altitude patrol vessel from Navantia S.A. is still in force. In accordance with its contractual obligations, Navantia has already initiated the process of acquiring the main equipment for the ship," the Spanish government said in response to a question from the Vox parliamentary group on the progress of the construction of this patrol vessel, recalls El Debate.

The patrol vessel under construction for Morocco is an Avante 1800 of the latest generation, equipped with the most sophisticated systems. With a length of 89 meters and a width of 13.3 meters, it can accommodate an average crew of 46 people and will be equipped with a 76 millimeter cannon, a SAM and SSM missile launch system, as well as modern sensors and radars, electronic countermeasures and a helipad, according to the manufacturer Navantia.

"The Head of Government accepts the 95 million euro credit agreement, annexed to this decree, signed on August 31, 2022 between Morocco and Banco Santander to finance the construction of the patrol vessel, the subject of the contract between the Ministry of National Defense and the company Navantia," can be read in the decree signed by Aziz Akhannouch, published in the Official Journal of October 6.

It was the Spanish Minister of Finance, María Jesús Montero, who had announced the news of the construction of a patrol vessel for Morocco, during a visit made on January 8, 2021 to the San Fernando shipyard (Cádiz). For the past decade, Morocco has been steadily increasing its military budget, exceeding $5.1 billion in 2023.