With the goal of strengthening a key partner in North Africa, the United States government has authorized the possible sale of new AIM-120C-8 AMRAAM air-to-air missiles to equip the Moroccan Air Force’s F-16 Block 72 fighters. This information stems from one of the most recent statements by the U.S. Department of State, which notifies Congress of the potential operation through the FMS program for approval.
Amid ongoing tensions with neighboring Algeria and in light of its aging combat aircraft fleet, Morocco began negotiations with the United States in the late 1990s and early 2000s for the acquisition of new F-16 Fighting Falcons. The American fighter, manufactured by Lockheed Martin, was ultimately chosen over other evaluated models, such as the Dassault Rafale.
By 2008, Morocco became a new operator of the American fighter jet with the confirmation of a $2.4 billion deal to purchase a fleet of 24 F-16C/D Block 52+ aircraft. Deliveries began in August 2011 with the arrival of the first units in Morocco, and the process was completed in August 2012.
However, by the end of the decade, the Moroccan government launched new plans to strengthen its F-16 fleet, specifically with the acquisition of 25 new F-16 Block 72 jets, alongside the upgrade of its fleet of 23 Block 52+ aircraft (one combat jet was lost in Yemen in 2015). In March 2019, the Department of State approved operations in favor of Morocco, authorizing the purchase of the new Viper jets for $3.787 billion and the upgrade packages for the remaining 23 Block 52+ aircraft to Block 72 configuration for $985.2 million.
Currently, Lockheed Martin is known to be progressing with the production of new Block 70/72 aircraft, including those intended for the Royal Moroccan Air Force. The first new fighters are expected to be delivered by 2025, while the modernization of the Block 52+ fleet is proceeding simultaneously.
With this context, on December 20, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) confirmed Morocco’s request to the United States government to acquire a new batch of thirty (30) AIM-120C-8 BVR air-to-air missiles, along with related equipment. The operation, authorized by the Department of State, is valued at $88.37 million, with RTX Corporation as the primary contractor.
The Department of State clarified in the same notification that these new missiles are intended for Morocco’s future F-16 Block 72 fleet, emphasizing: “The proposed sale will enhance the Kingdom of Morocco’s capability to address current and future threats by ensuring it has modern and effective air-to-air munitions to fulfill its mission of protecting its borders and territorial waters, combating terrorism and illicit trafficking, and utilizing its newly acquired F-16 Block 72 fleet. The Kingdom of Morocco will have no difficulty integrating this equipment into its armed forces.”
Images used for illustrative purposes.
