Massive Investment in Military Equipment
In a significant move for its defense capabilities, Morocco has made a landmark investment in French military equipment, amounting to approximately €500 million in 2025. This investment positions Morocco as one of France's major clients in Africa, reflecting a strategic shift in the Kingdom's defense procurement. The report detailing military exports to France highlights that the Moroccan government has ordered ten Caracal helicopters, manufactured by Airbus, to modernize its aging fleet, notably replacing Puma helicopters that have been operational for nearly four decades. This substantial order accounts for a staggering portion of Morocco's military spending, which reached €532.1 million in total for 2025, marking a record high for the country over the past decade. This figure represents a remarkable 40-fold increase compared to the previous year, underscoring Morocco's commitment to enhancing its military capabilities.
Details of Orders and Deliveries
Additionally, France exported military equipment worth over €83 million to Morocco in 2025, bringing the total value of military purchases from 2016 to 2025 to an impressive €905 million. The report also sheds light on Morocco's previous year's orders, which included eight missile launchers and two 20-millimeter cannons categorized as heavy machine guns. Furthermore, in 2025, Morocco received 42 export licenses valued at €1.27 billion, encompassing a range of items including light weapons, ammunition, and chemical agents, alongside a significant license for fire control and surveillance systems, estimated at around €970 million. This extensive procurement strategy positions Morocco as the leading military spender in Africa, having allocated over €1.3 billion since 2016. In comparison, other nations such as Senegal and Nigeria have not surpassed €400 million in military expenditures within the same timeframe.
As reported by rfi.fr.
