The current phase of this arms race is distinguished by the priority given to the acquisition of the most modern attack aircraft, such as the F-35 for Morocco, and the Su-57 for Algeria, underlined the international relations expert Mohamed Chakir. According to him, this competition constitutes a means of preventing a direct war between Morocco and Algeria, by creating a situation of mutual deterrence. However, this competition represents a form of indirect war, where each country seeks to acquire superior weapons or weapons capable of neutralizing those of its adversary, notes the expert.
To read: Morocco-Algeria: towards open war? The specter of conflict worries
An open war between the two countries would have a negative impact on North Africa. A direct war between the two nations would have catastrophic consequences for the region and would arouse international opposition because of its negative impact on the stability of North Africa, believes Shakir, noting that the continuation of this competition to obtain military technologies the most advanced continues to reshape the balance of power in North Africa.
Read: “We cannot rule out the possibility of a war between Algeria and Morocco”
“Morocco is adopting a clear strategy aimed at strengthening its military capabilities by diversifying its arms partners. This approach aims to modernize the arsenal of the Royal Armed Forces and improve their effectiveness to meet regional and international challenges,” comments political scientist Abdelaziz Koukas. According to his explanations, Morocco is banking on diversifying the sources of its weapons, which gives it great flexibility in the acquisition of the most advanced military systems. Morocco’s arsenal includes weapons from countries such as China, Turkey, Russia and Europe, in addition to its traditional partner, the United States.
Read: Morocco intensifies its arms race against Algeria
According to Koukass, Morocco and Algeria are engaged in a bitter rivalry for control of North Africa. This competition fuels the arms race between the two nations. The rapid transformations carried out by Morocco in the areas of diplomacy and investment could cause regional tensions, thus increasing the risks of military conflict, he adds. Like Shakir, he thinks that the “balance of terror” generated by this competition could play a deterrent role against any direct military confrontation, and that a war between the two countries would have disastrous consequences for the entire region.
Morocco
