Strategic alliance: U.S. boosts Morocco’s military capabilities

The United States has approved the sale of 600 Stinger man-portable air defense missiles (MANPADS) to Morocco, along with associated equipment, in a deal valued at $825 million, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) confirmed on Tuesday.

Although the U.S. State Department had already approved the transaction, the DSCA’s announcement serves as a formal notification to Congress, a necessary step before the sale can be finalized.

According to the DSCA, the Moroccan military intends to use the short-range air defense system to modernize its armed forces and bolster its capacity to respond to current and future aerial threats. 

The acquisition will also enhance Morocco’s interoperability with the U.S. military and its NATO allies, the agency said in a statement.

The move marks a continuation of strengthened military and diplomatic ties between Washington and Rabat, particularly since the Trump administration. In 2020, then-President Donald Trump recognized Moroccan sovereignty over the disputed Western Sahara in exchange for Morocco’s agreement to normalize relations with Israel under the U.S.-brokered Abraham Accords.

Just last week, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio reaffirmed this stance during a meeting in Washington with Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita, expressing America’s continued support for Morocco’s position on the Western Sahara.

The missile deal underscores Washington’s strategic commitment to Morocco as a key defense partner in North Africa and reflects broader geopolitical alignments in the region.

The FIM-92 Stinger is a man-portable air-defense system designed to provide short-range air defense against low-flying aircraft, helicopters, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), and cruise missiles.