North African Air Supremacy: Morocco Moves Closer to Acquiring 32 US Fifth-Generation F-35 Fighter Jets
The potential acquisition of 32 US-made fifth-generation F-35 fighter jets, according to the specialized site Military Africa, would make Morocco the first Arab and African country to operate this stealth platform. The deal, estimated at around 17 billion dollars over a 45-year period, would cover supply, maintenance, and continuous technical support.
General Michael Langley, Commander of US Naval Forces and US Africa Command, and Lieutenant General Mohamed Berrid, Inspector General of the Royal Armed Forces, discussed this matter during the recent African Lion exercises and at the reception of Morocco’s first AH-64E Apache attack helicopters.
This project is part of a broader modernization program for the Royal Air Force, following previous contracts for the purchase of 24 F-16C/D Block 72 Viper fighters, as well as the upgrade of the existing fleet to the F-16V standard. This includes Northrop Grumman APG-83 radars, Lockheed Martin Sniper AN/AAQ-33 targeting pods, and AN/ALQ-213 and AN/ALQ-211 electronic warfare systems, enhancing the ability to counter complex aerial and electronic threats.
Military Africa’s report notes that Morocco could achieve full operational capability for the F-35s by 2035, integrating them seamlessly with its current fleet. This would strengthen the preparedness of the Royal Armed Forces and enable joint training and experience sharing with NATO allies, placing Morocco among the leading air powers in the region.
This acquisition represents a turning point in the kingdom’s military history and would pave the way for stronger military and technological partnerships with strategic allies. It also reflects Morocco’s commitment to long-term investment in high-level defense infrastructure.
The report also highlights Morocco’s simultaneous modernization of its intelligence and aerial surveillance capabilities, notably through the modification of two Gulfstream G550 aircraft in the United States to integrate advanced Israeli systems from Elta. The country is also deploying satellites to monitor its borders and sensitive areas, including those near Algeria, as part of an integrated defense strategy.
This program is not limited to technological aspects. It demonstrates Morocco’s determination to acquire advanced combat capabilities able to respond to any scenario in North Africa, in a context marked by persistent tensions with Algeria over the Moroccan Sahara, where air superiority could play a decisive role in the event of escalation.
The F-35, designed by Lockheed Martin, stands as one of the most recent innovations in military aviation. Combining stealth, versatility, and advanced avionics, it can perform air superiority, ground attack, and reconnaissance missions. Its three variants offer specific operational capabilities: the F-35A for conventional takeoff and landing, the F-35B for short takeoff and vertical landing suited for amphibious operations, and the F-35C designed for aircraft carriers.
Translated from Abderrazzak Boussaid’s French article – le7tv (Military Africa and iNews24)
