Morocco continues its arms race against Algeria. According to the specialist portal defence webthe US State Department approved on December 20 the sale to Morocco of AIM-120 AMRAAM air-to-air missiles and GBU-39B small-diameter bombs to the United States for $175 million. The relevant notifications have already been sent to Congress. In detail, Morocco requested the purchase of 500 Boeing GBU-39B I (SDB-I) small diameter bombs and two GBU-39 (T-1)/B inert training bombs, as well as ammunition training, spares and support, at a total estimated cost of $86 million” and the purchase of 30 of the company’s advanced medium-range AIM-120C-8 AMRAAM missiles RTX Corporation, as well as an AIM-120C-8 guidance section and telemetry kits, spare parts and other equipment for a total cost of $88.37 million.
Read: 500 bombs and 30 missiles: Morocco’s new military acquisition
“The proposed sale will improve the Kingdom of Morocco’s ability to face current and future threats by ensuring that it has modern and capable air-to-air munitions to fulfill its mission of securing its borders and territorial waters, the fight against terrorism and illicit trafficking, and the use of its recently acquired fleet of F-16 Block 72s,” said the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA).
Read: The delivery of American weapons to Morocco irritates Algeria
In order to continue strengthening its military capabilities, Morocco has a defense budget of 133 billion dirhams ($13 billion) for 2025, up 7.25% compared to 2024. The kingdom plans to buy planes, tanks and air defense systems, etc.
Morocco
