Washington Launches Legal Process for Advanced Air Defense Deal with Morocco
The United States has officially initiated legal procedures for a new arms deal with the Kingdom of Morocco, which includes supplying Rabat with advanced air defense systems, according to an official document issued by the US Department of Defense (the Pentagon) and published in the Federal Register in recent hours.
According to the document, the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA), part of the Department of Defense, published a non-classified notification regarding a potential military sale to Morocco, in compliance with the legal requirements stipulated by US legislation concerning arms sales to foreign countries.
600 Stinger Missiles Worth $825 Million
According to the notification, the deal involves the potential acquisition by Morocco of up to 600 FIM-92K Stinger Block I missiles. These are short-range, man-portable air defense missiles designed to intercept low-altitude aerial targets such as aircraft, helicopters, and drones.
The total value of the deal is estimated at approximately $825 million, including about $552 million allocated for major defense equipment, in addition to $273 million earmarked for support services such as technical, logistical, and engineering support, training, and spare parts.
Purely Moroccan Funding and Official Notification to Congress
The document clarified that the deal will be fully funded by the Kingdom of Morocco's national resources, without utilizing any US military aid or financing programs. This reflects Morocco's commitment to acquiring advanced systems through self-financing.
This notification is based on Section 36(b) of the US Arms Export Control Act, which requires the US administration to notify Congress in advance of any major arms sale before its completion.
According to the Federal Register, the official report concerning the deal was submitted to the US Congress on April 15, 2025, without any publicly announced objections to date. This paves the way for completing the procedural process and moving forward with the actual implementation of the deal.
American Political and Security Justifications
In its political justification for the deal, the US Department of Defense affirmed that Morocco is a major non-NATO ally and plays a pivotal role in supporting political and security stability in North Africa.
It added that the deal will contribute to enhancing the Royal Armed Forces' capabilities to counter current and future aerial threats, particularly in the area of short-range air defense. It will also help modernize Moroccan military systems in line with Western standards adopted by US-allied militaries.
Enhancing Interoperability Without “Disrupting the Balance”
The document indicated that Morocco aims, through this deal, to enhance interoperability with US forces and the forces of friendly nations, especially within the framework of multinational military exercises and maneuvers.
In this context, the US Department of Defense emphasized that the deal “will not disrupt the basic military balance in the region,” a standard formulation used by Washington to reassure Congress about the geopolitical implications of arms sales in sensitive regions.
In the context of a comprehensive modernization of its military arsenal
This deal adds to a series of arms agreements Morocco has concluded in recent years, as part of a comprehensive strategy to modernize its military arsenal. Launched by Rabat nearly a decade ago, this strategy focuses on enhancing operational readiness, modernizing defense systems, and diversifying arms sources.
This military approach is accompanied by a parallel effort to establish a local defense industry by attracting major international companies specializing in military manufacturing, technology transfer, maintenance, and assembly. The Kingdom considers this a fundamental pillar for strengthening its defense sovereignty and reducing dependence on foreign sources in the medium and long term.
