Morocco has ordered an undisclosed number of long-range Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS) from the US to bolster its air defense capabilities.
The African country was among the five nations covered by a new $227-million contract for the supply of the Lockheed Martin-manufactured weapons.
Baltic states Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Poland were also included in the order.
According to the US Department of Defense, Rabat and the four other countries will also receive launch systems as part of the agreement.
Work for the contract is expected to be complete by late 2028.
In 2023, Washington said the Moroccan government requested 40 ATACMS and 18 M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) launchers used to fire the missiles.
The estimated value of the original request was $524.3 million.
Moving Away From China?
Morocco is a major importer of Chinese-made defense systems.
In the past couple of years, the Royal Moroccan Armed Forces procured advanced military drones and anti-tank missiles from Beijing.
It also has a military base with a Chinese long-range air defense system.
However, the approval of the ATACMS sale to the North African nation is expected to boost its ties with the US.
Additionally, the sale will significantly enhance Morocco’s long-range strike capabilities, as the US-made weapon can hit targets up to 300 kilometers (186 miles) away.
“This agreement will strengthen the deterrence capabilities of the Royal Armed Forces with this type of weapon in integration with all land, air, and naval forces,” defense expert Hisham Moataded told Atalayar.
“Moroccan forces are committed to strengthening military tactics in order to defend Moroccan sovereignty.”
