Spain’s navy outguns Morocco in combat capability, but ship counts tell only part of the story

84 warships against ten. That was the balance of forces presented on Thursday, October 15, by Spanish website Moncloa.com, a few days after reports emerged of incidents between Moroccan and Spanish military vessels off Ceuta. The outlet emphasizes the power of the Armada, which can deploy frigates, submarines and an aircraft carrier, against a Moroccan Royal Navy undergoing a major modernization drive.

On Bladi.net : Spanish and Moroccan Warships Nearly Collide Off Ceuta

Spain’s advantage is based first and foremost on its equipment. Madrid has eleven frigates, including five Álvaro de Bazán-class vessels equipped with the American AEGIS system, designed in particular for air defense. These are joined by two submarines listed in inventories, amphibious vessels and the Juan Carlos I, which can carry aircraft and transport troops.

Morocco, by contrast, has six frigates, including the Mohammed VI, a French-designed FREMM, as well as SIGMA vessels built in the Netherlands. Rabat still has no operational submarines. This is a particularly significant difference in the Strait of Gibraltar, where underwater surveillance and anti-submarine warfare capabilities have strategic importance.

But the ten ships attributed to Morocco in the comparison published by Moncloa.com do not represent its entire fleet. The specialist database GlobalMilitary lists 106 Moroccan vessels in 2026, including 86 patrol boats and six frigates. It counts 84 Spanish vessels, which also include support and training ships. The two figures cited by the Spanish outlet are therefore not based on the same scope.

Morocco is modernizing, sometimes with help from Spain

This difference does not erase Spain’s lead in combat capabilities. The F-100 frigates, S-80-class submarines and amphibious assets enable the Armada to conduct operations for which the Royal Navy has no direct equivalents. Madrid is also preparing for the arrival of new F-110 frigates, intended in particular to strengthen its anti-submarine warfare capabilities.

The paradox is that Spain itself is helping to strengthen the Moroccan fleet. On September 17, state-owned shipbuilder Navantia delivered the offshore patrol vessel Moulay Hassan I to Rabat. Built in San Fernando, near Cadiz, the 87-meter vessel has a displacement of about 2,020 tonnes and is intended to strengthen Morocco’s maritime surveillance capabilities. It was delivered without an official ceremony, amid diplomatic tensions.

On Bladi.net : Spain Tracked Moroccan Navy Communications Near Ceuta but Withheld Reports

For Moncloa.com, the issue now goes beyond the simple number of vessels. The outlet stresses Spain’s ability to maintain surveillance of the strait over time, protect maritime routes and rapidly deploy its military assets. It nevertheless acknowledges that Morocco can concentrate its forces close to its coastline, reducing response times in disputed waters.

The website also notes that Moroccan plans to acquire submarines remain, for now, at the offer and discussion stage. The Armada therefore retains an advantage in this area, while Rabat continues to renew its patrol boats and surface vessels.