The Royal Armed Forces of Morocco will receive cutting-edge equipment worth more than $500 million according to a transaction approved by the US State Department.

The package contains HIMARS (High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems) and related equipment. On Tuesday, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency officially announced the transaction after providing the requisite clearance to the US Congress.

The agreement comprises a variety of cutting-edge military hardware, according to the Moroccan government’s purchase order, including 36 M31A2 Guided Multiple Launch Rocket Systems, 40 Army M57 Tactical Missile Systems, and 18 M142 High Mobility Rocket Launchers.

36 M30A2 Guided Missiles, 40 M28A2 Low-Cost Low-Range Portfolio Missiles, and radios with a similar “SINCGARS” capability are also included in the package. The package also includes twenty-four individual radio, long-range GPS vehicle systems and 35 long-range vehicle radio systems.

By enhancing the security of a crucial non-NATO ally that is essential to advancing political stability and economic development in Africa, the proposed arrangement will advance the foreign policy and national security goals of the United States.

The nation’s ability to recognize threats and manage its borders will also improve thanks to this military hardware, which will help Morocco to successfully counter both current and foreseeable challenges while also promoting stability and security in the region.

With the main objective of combating terrorism and violent extremist organizations active in the Maghreb and Sahel regions, the agreement will also improve cooperation between the Royal Armed Forces and US forces.

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General Andrew Rohling, Deputy Commander of the US Army in Europe and Africa, and Army Corps General Elfarouk Belkheir, commander of the Royal Armed forces southern region, discussed today, Thursday, in Agadir the continent’s largest military training exercise “African Lion 21” preparations planned for next year, which will take place in the context of uncertainty due to Covid-19 pandemic.

A communiqué released by the South European-African military Force (SETAF) mentioned the generals had agreed that the “African Lion” exercise, scheduled for next June, “represents an opportunity to highlight a strong and sustained strategic partnership between the US and Morocco, despite the two countries’ confrontation with Covid-19”

“I was pleased to have met General Elfarouk personally for the first time,” the communiqué referred General Rohling as saying, praising General Elfarouk’s prominence, personality, and understanding of the strategic environment.

General Rohling also declared “We clearly understand the importance of protecting our troops – American, Moroccan, and other forces that may participate – from the pandemic,” stating that the current pandemic situation will be taken into consideration as part of preparing for the training.

The same source added that during these conversations, the two generals also discussed issues related to regional defense and security, as well as issues of troop numbers and challenges related to COVID-19.

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