Morocco intensifies its arms race against Algeria

Due to growing regional tensions, including the situation in North Africa and the Sahel, instability in Libya, terrorist threats, rivalry with Algeria, as well as the dispute over Western Sahara, Morocco is leading a frantic race in the acquisition of military equipment to the point of sometimes worrying Spain.

Morocco is strengthening its military arsenal through the acquisition of several military equipment and defense systems from the United States in recent years, reports Debate. These include US-made F-16 and F-5 fighter jets, which have significantly improved the country’s air capability, Abrams M1A1 main battle tanks, air defense systems such as the Patriot PAC-3, and surveillance and attack drones. Morocco is among the African countries with old Soviet equipment, including T-72 tanks, to which the United States has offered lucrative deals in the context of supplying arms to Ukrainian forces. The kingdom has also acquired Harpoon Block II (AGM-84L) anti-ship missiles for F-16 Viper warplanes, 24 of which will be received by the Royal Armed Forces (FAR) in 2026, and medium- and long-range Cruise missiles from the American aircraft and aerospace manufacturer Boeing.