For 10 years it will be able to buy the same weapons as NATO countries

“This roadmap will set the course of our historic defense relationship for the next decade, building on a partnership that began 250 years ago, when Morocco was the first nation to recognize the United States,” he announced on his X account. Elbridge ColbyUS Undersecretary of Defense for Policy.

Likewise, Colby praised the meeting at the Pentagon with the Moroccan delegate minister of National Defense, Abdelatif Loudiyiand with Lieutenant General Mohamed Berridinspector general of the Royal Moroccan Armed Forces (FAR).

The defense industry and cybersecurity are the two great pillars of this association, which “present growing interest given the the multiplication and diversification of the security challenges and threats that both countries face”details the General Staff of the FAR in a statement.

In fact, the FAR and US forces had already tested on February 3 in Agadir the Link-16 tactical communication systema safe technology until then reserved for NATO memberswhich allows real-time exchange of operational data between ground, air and naval units.

It is a network of encrypted and jam-resistant Tactical Data Links (TDL) that enables secure and reliable interconnection between military platforms to create situational awareness among dispersed combat forces through the exchange of critical information, position data, command orders, images and other types of intelligencethrough a common and secure communication link.

In short, with this new roadmap there is “the common will to give new impetus to this bilateral military cooperation that confirms the determination to expand and improve the efficiency of this association,” concludes the FAR statement.

“New impulse”

The working visit of the Moroccan delegation of the National Defense Administration and the FAR, by order of the Alawite monarch, was held in Washington between April 14 and 16 on the occasion of the 14th meeting of the Moroccan-American Defense Consultative Committee “to strengthen and expand cooperation to new areas.”

The Moroccan officials were received by Pete HegsethSecretary of War of the United States, in the presence of the Moroccan ambassador in Washington, Youssef Amraniand the United States ambassador in Rabat, Duke Buchan III“to discuss in depth the strengthening and improvement of bilateral relations between both countries.”

The work of the meetings addressed various aspects of military cooperation, also highlighting the “very satisfactory” balance in various areas of association between the Moroccan and American armies, “in particular the training of commanders, the exchange of knowledge and experiences, organizing large-scale joint exercises such as African Lionas well as issues related to military capabilities and equipment.”

Military cooperation between Morocco and the United States is based on a balance of mutual interests that makes it one of the strongest alliances in the region. Washington finds in it a strategic foothold in Africawhile Rabat consolidates its defense capabilities thanks to privileged access to US military equipment and technologies.

At the operational level, the FAR obtains from this alliance an advantage in training of commands in the US military academies, transfer of technical knowledge in the fields of intelligence and anti-terrorism, and acquisition of latest generation weapons.

Precisely, this reciprocity is evident in the African Lion maneuvers. In the 2026 edition, which will be held from April 20 to May 8, they will be deployed in several cities (Agadir, Tan-Tan, Taroudant, Kenitra and Benguerir).

AFRICOM Commander Gen. Dagvin Andersonhighlighted that this year has a strong symbolic meaning, coinciding with the 250th anniversary of the United States and the recognition of Morocco as the first nation to have recognized the American republic.

More than forty American technology companies will join the troops to validate next-generation combat tools, making Morocco a a full-scale test bench for tactical artificial intelligence systems, forward command and deep attack.

Western Sahara and Africa

During the meeting in Washington, the Moroccan official also highlighted US support for Morocco’s sovereignty over its entire territory, including Western Sahara, as well as the neighboring country’s role as an actor in regional stability.

For his part, “the American official highlighted the contribution of Morocco, under the impulse of the king Mohamed VIto the promotion of peace and security in its regional environment,” according to the Moroccan national news agency.

The initiatives launched by the Alawite monarch regarding the African Atlantic Facade and the African-Atlantic Morocco-Nigeria gas pipeline were also put on the table. At the same time, the active participation of Moroccan contingents in peacebuilding missions in Africa was highlighted.

At the same time, both countries are working on a trade agreement in two key economic sectors and, according to Africa Intelligence “they are working to define the new contours of their free trade agreement.”