The Trump-Mohammed VI axis seals an unprecedented military alliance

The military alliance between the United States and Morocco has reached a new peak of intensity. Between mid-December 2025 and mid-January, the U.S. Department of Defense has notified Congress of several major arms sales to the Kingdom, including 600 Stinger missiles valued at $825 million and GBU-39/B guided bombs, as reported by the newspaper Le Monde.

These transactions confirm Morocco’s status as a "major non-NATO ally" and the largest American arms buyer on the African continent. The value of active intergovernmental contracts has increased from $4.5 billion in 2019 to $8.5 billion in 2025. Rabat is modernizing its air and ground defenses through the acquisition of F-16 Block 72 fighters, Patriot systems, HIMARS rocket launchers, and Apache helicopters.

On the diplomatic front, this proximity was illustrated on January 19 by the announcement of King Mohammed VI, the first Arab-African head of state to join the "Peace Council" desired by President Donald Trump. Morocco also benefits from privileged economic treatment, being relatively spared from American tariff hikes.

For Washington, Morocco is a "cornerstone" of regional stability, particularly in the face of the jihadist threat in the Sahel where Western forces are less present. For Rabat, this support is crucial in the context of persistent tensions and the arms race with neighboring Algeria over the Western Sahara issue.