Morocco is doing a good deal with major latest generation American F-16 F-16 hunters, reports The Desk. The Moroccan information site reveals that the United States has decided to include the kingdom in the production chain of its new generation F-16.
It was a document from the US State Department that formalized it on April 29. According to The DeskMorocco will contribute to “The manufacture abroad of critical parts, related components and equipment for combat aircraft, as part of the F-16 Block 70/72 program” From the American hunter manufacturer, Lockheed Martin.
On August 6, 2024, the US Congress had been notified of this decision, in accordance with the Export Control Act ARMS. This is a “Authorization to export defense equipment for the purpose of relocated industrial subcontracting, [qui] also includes technical data and services, all for an amount equal to or greater than $ 50 million ”, specifies the online media. Thirty allies from the United States, including Morocco, are part of the list transmitted to the Congress.
Objective Rearmament
This integration into the F-16 production chain intervenes when the kingdom has engaged in “An ambitious modernization of its fleet”, recalls the Moroccan media. The country has thus ordered 25 new F-16 Block 72 aircraft for an envelope around 3.8 billion dollars (around 3.3 billion euros) and the army also plans to upgrade its “23 F-16 Block 52 + existing to the standard F-16V (Viper)”.
The Desk specifies that Morocco is in the plans of Lockheed Martin for the subcontracting of a certain number of components which could include “Metal parts of structure, airplane wiring, mounting interfaces or specific modules necessary for final assembly”.
Boeing and Airbus are already located in an industrial platform installed in the province of Nouaceur (about thirty kilometers south of Casablanca). The Brazilian manufacturer Embraer is also on the way to investing in the region for the subcontracting of certain components.
Pour The Deskif these investments remain marginal compared to the major industrial powers in the sector, the integration of Morocco into the production chain is a “Turning”while the country has been investing massively in recent years in its rearmament. Objective: to catch up, in particular vis-à-vis its Algerian neighbor and rival.
