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List of equipment of the Royal Moroccan Army

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Modern equipment of the Royal Moroccan Armed Forces is a list of equipment currently in service with the Royal Moroccan Army. Sources are the United States Excess Defense Articles (EDA) database,[1] UNROCA[2],INSS Israel's Middle East Military Balance,[3] World Small Arms Inventory,[4] SIPRI Trade registers[5] and the Military Balance in the Middle East by CSIS,[6] and Army-Guide.

Infantry equipment

[edit]
Royal Moroccan Army honor platoon
Moroccan jeeps, armed with anti-tank weapons (UNOSOM II)
Moroccan Soldiers with Olive Drab Battle Uniform and SPECTRA helmet.
M109A5 Howitzer from the Moroccan 15th Royal Artillery Group
M109A5 Howitzer Crews from the Moroccan 15th Royal Artillery Group.
Moroccan M60A1 during a 2006 Army expo
M163 VADS of the Royal Moroccan Army during a 2006 Army Exp
Individual equipment
Name Image Origin Type Notes
SPECTRA helmet
 France Combat helmet Used by ground forces, large quantities, manufactured locally by MSA Mohammedia
Advanced Combat Helmet
 United States Combat helmet Standard issue helmet as of February 2024 (MKU Kavro MKH/ACH-7 version) . Locally produced .
Modular Integrated Communications Helmet
 United States Combat helmet Used by special forces and naval infantry
Gallet TC 801
 France Combat helmet used by special forces, produced locally by MSA Mohammedia
Future Assault Shell Technology helmet
 United States Combat helmet used by special forces
M1 helmet
 United States Combat helmet used for training, no longer in service
OG-107
 United States Combat uniform former army combat uniform, replaced by a new one,[7] used for training
Camouflage Central-Europe
 France Combat uniform Still in use
Desert Lizard
 France Combat uniform Still in use by some units .
Red Lizard
 France Combat uniform Still in use by paratrooper units .
Operational Camouflage Pattern
 United States Combat uniform Used by the 1st Atlas Combat Brigade

[3]

Personnel Armor System for Ground Troops
 United States Combat helmetBulletproof vest Phased out .
Improved Outer Tactical Vest
 United States Bulletproof vest Standard issue bulletproof vest as of February 2024 . Locally Produced (Kavro TAC-I-II B+ version) .
Combat Integrated Releasable Armor System
 United States Bulletproof vest used by Saharan units .
Soldier Plate Carrier System
 United States Plate carrier Used by SF.
AN/PVS-14
 United States Night-vision device used by ground forces and special forces
AN/PVS-7
 United States Night-vision device used by special forces
AN/PVS-4
 United States Passive Night-vision device Used by infantry , out of service .
Pulsar Edge  United States Night-vision device Used by special forces and ground forces
AMBIA Night-vision device used by special forces
Leupold HAMR  United States Telescopic sight mounted on the M4A1, used by special forces
Trijicon MRO® HD  United States Red dot sight Coupled with a 3x flip magnifier , used by special forces .
Aimpoint CompM4
 United States Red dot sight mounted on the M4A1, used by paratroopers
Advanced Combat Optical Gunsight
 United States prismatic telescopic sights mounted on M4 and M16A4, used by special forces
EOTech
 United States Holographic weapon sight mounted on various weapons, used by special forces
CornerShot
 Israel Weapon accessory seen in use by the GIGR
AN/PEQ-2
 United States Laser sight (firearms) Used by the

special forces .

AN/PEQ-15
 United States Laser sight (firearms) Used by special forces .
AN/PEQ-16
 United States Laser sight (firearms) Used by Special Forces .

Weapons

[edit]
Name Image Caliber Type Origin Notes
Pistols
Beretta 92
9×19mm Parabellum Semi-automatic pistol  Italy Used by the police and several army/special forces units .
Browning Hi-Power
9×19mm Parabellum Semi-automatic pistol  Belgium Used by paratroopers
MAC Mle 1950
9×19mm Parabellum Semi-automatic pistol  France Used by royal gendarmerie
MAB PA-15
9×19mm Parabellum Semi-automatic pistol  France Standard service pistol
TT 33
7.62×25mm Semi-automatic pistol  Soviet Union Still in use.
Glock 19
9x19 Parabellum Semi-automatic pistol  Austria Used by special forces and BCIJ counter-terrorism forces and GIMR
Glock 17
9x19 Parabellum Semi-automatic pistol  Austria Used by special forces . [4]
Beretta Px4 Storm
9×19mm Parabellum
.40 S&W
.45 ACP
Semi-automatic pistol  Italy in use with the BCI and BRI police squads
Submachine guns
IWI Tavor X95
9×19mm Parabellum Submachine gun  Israel X95 SMG variant, seen in a police parade [5]
Heckler & Koch MP5
9×19mm Parabellum Submachine gun  West Germany Used by tank crews. A3 version for special forces (GSIGR,BCIJ), customisable, all versions in use
Brügger & Thomet MP9
9×19mm Parabellum submachine gun   Switzerland Used by the GIMR (Groupe D'intervention de la Marine Royale)
MP5K
9×19mm Parabellum submachine gun  West Germany Seen in use by the GSIGR units .
Shotguns
Mossberg 500
12 gauge Shotgun  United States Used by the army
Benelli M4
12 gauge Shotgun  United States Used by counter-terrorism forces and anti -narcotics
Franchi SPAS-12
12 gauge Shotgun  Italy Used by the royal gendarmerie
Rifles
AK-103
7.62×39mm Assault rifle  Russia Used by paratroopers (2eme BIP), the Mountain brigade and some army units
AK-105
5.45×39mm Assault rifle  Russia Used by the 1st BIP
Beretta AR70/90
5.56×45mm NATO Assault rifle  Italy
VCD-15 5.56×45mm NATO

.300 AAC Blackout

Assault rifle  France Used by special forces [6]
Heckler & Koch HK416
5.56x45 NATO Assault rifle  Germany Seen in use by the GOS brigade in Qatar [7]
M16A4
5.56x45 NATO Assault rifle  United States Used by marine commandos and BCI units .
M4 carbine
5.56x45 NATO Assault rifle  United States Used by the paratroopers and special forces (MSOF and GOS team)
Steyr AUG
5.56×45mm NATO Assault rifle  Austria Used by the BCI and the BRI squads, all versions in use
SAR 21
5.56×45mm NATO Assault rifle  Singapore Used by gendarmerie units , royal guard and paratroopers .
FN F2000
5.56×45mm NATO Assault rifle  Belgium Heavily used in the Royal Gendarmerie, all variants are customisable
Misr
7.62×39mm Assault rifle  Egypt Standard infantry assault rifle of Royal Moroccan Army.
M16A1/2/3/4
5.56x45 NATO Assault rifle  United States
FN CAL[8]
5.56x45mm NATO Assault rifle  Belgium
FN FAL
7.62×51mm NATO Battle rifle  Belgium
Pistol Mitralieră model 1963/1965
7.62x39mm Assault rifle  Romania
Type 56
7.62×39mm Assault rifle  China
Heckler & Koch G3
7.62×51mm NATO Battle rifle  Germany Used as a battle rifle and a marksmanship rifle (PSG1)
AMD-65
7.62×39mm Assault rifle  Hungary Used by the GSI
Machine guns
M249
5.56×45mm NATO light machine gun  United States
Ultimax 100
5.56×45mm NATO General-purpose machine gun  Singapore
FN MAG
7.62×51mm NATO General-purpose machine gun  Belgium MAG-60-20 Infanterie T1 , Standard machine gun [8]
M240 machine gun
7.62×51mm NATO General-purpose machine gun  United States Used by SF, all variants [9]
MG 3 machine gun
7.62×51mm NATO General-purpose machine gun  West Germany
PK machine gun
7.62×54mmR General-purpose machine gun  Soviet Union
RPK 7.62×39mm Light machine gun  Soviet Union no longer in service
M60 machine gun
7.62×51mm NATO General-purpose machine gun  United States
M134 Minigun
7.62×51mm NATO Rotary Medium machine gun  United States Used mostly on helicopters
M2 Browning
.50 BMG Heavy machine gun  United States Used mostly on vehicles and tanks
DShK
12.7×108mm Heavy machine gun  Soviet Union no longer in service
NSV machine gun
12.7×108mm Heavy machine gun  Soviet Union Used on T-72 tanks, still in service
KPV heavy machine gun
14.5 × 114 mm Heavy machine gun  Czech Republic Standard heavy machine gun since 2023 , supplied by Czech firm Excalibur Army.
M621 cannon
20 mm caliber Autocannon  France Used on the Aérospatiale SA 330 Puma and the Aérospatiale Gazelle, close air support roles
20 mm modèle F2 gun
20 mm caliber Autocannon  France Mounted on the Véhicule de l'Avant Blindé, VAB VCI 6x6 Toucan I version, used for counter-sniping and fire-support roles
Sniper rifles
M14NM
7.62×51mm NATO Sniper rifle  United States
Remington Model 700
.338 Lapua Magnum Bolt action  United States Used by the DGST SF, Model 700 and Magpul Pro 700 [10] versions in use.
PGM Ultima Ratio
7.62×51mm NATO Sniper rifle  France Standard-issue army sniper rifle
PGM 338
.338 Lapua Magnum Sniper rifle  France Used by the Royal Gendarmerie.
HK PSG1
7.62×51mm NATO Sniper rifle  West Germany Used by paratroopers.
M110
7.62×51mm NATO semi-automatic precision rifle  United States Used by SF
Mauser SP66
7.62×51mm NATO Sniper rifle  Germany Used by police units
Tikka T3
.308 Winchester Sniper rifle  Finland Used by GSIGR snipers , Tikka T3x Tac A1 variant [11] .
SR-25
7.62×51mm NATO Designated marksman rifle

semi-automatic Sniper rifle

 United States Appeared in African Lion 2024 , used by special forces, SR-25 E2 variant .
Mk 13 Mod 5
.300 Winchester Magnum Sniper rifle United States Appeared in African Lion 2024 , used by special forces .
Barrett M82
.50 BMG Semi-automatic rifleAnti-materiel rifle  United States Used by SF
FR F2 sniper rifle
7.62×51mm NATO Sniper rifle  France Used by police units.
LA115A3
.338 Lapua Magnum Sniper rifle  United Kingdom Used by the SF, small numbers
M24 Sniper Weapon System
7.62×51mm NATO Bolt action

Sniper rifle

 United States used in many versions by the BCIJ and the GIGR
Grenade launchers
GL1
40 mm grenade launcher  Belgium Used by GR on the FN F2000 rifle .
M203 grenade launcher
40 mm grenade launcher  United States M203,M203A1and M203A2 all in service in the army and special forces

[12]. large stock

Mk 19
40 mm Automatic grenade launcher  United States Large quantities
Milkor MGL 40 mm Grenade launcher  United States Used by law enforcement and ground forces
STK 40 AGL
40 mm Automatic grenade launcher  Singapore Large quantities

The Royal Moroccan Army employs various individual weapons to provide light firepower at short ranges. The main weapons used by the army are the M16A2 and AK-47 variants (Chinese Type 56, Romanian AIM/AIMS, Egyptian Misr, Yugoslav Zastava M70AB2) in the Southern Sector, and the G3A3, FN FAL/FN CAL and M16A1/A2/A4 in the Northern Sector. The AK-74/ AKS-74U, SAR 21, AK-103, Steyr AUG A1/A2/A3, MP5A3, M4 carbine and FN SCAR are used by different units as the Paratroopers, the Royal Guard, Security Forces and others units in the Navy and Air force.

The sidearms in the RMA are the MAB PA-15 for Active service, and Beretta 92 for specialized forces (Paratroopers, Special Forces, Security Forces, etc.)

Many units are supplemented with a variety of specialized weapons, those are the M249, HK11A1, FN Minimi, FALO-50-41, Ultimax 100, PK/PKM, RPD and RPK-74 to provide suppressive fire at the fire-team level. The M14NM and EBR are used by long-range marksmen, and the M82A1, the FR-F2, and the PGM Ultima Ratio are used by snipers. The Army also uses Automatic grenade launchers (AGLs) such as the STK 40 AGL or the Mk 47 Striker[9] both used on VAMTACs LUVs (Light Utility Vehicles) and handled by infantry units.

Other weapons used for training, exercises or parades are :

Crew served weapons

[edit]

Coaxial Machine Guns and Automatic cannons:

The army uses different types of mortars for indirect fire support when heavier artillery may not be appropriate or available. The smallest of these are the 60mm M2 and MO 60. At the next higher echelon, the support can come from the 107mm M30 mortar, the 120mm M120 and MO-120-RT,120MM ECIA MORTAR AND 120MM NORINCO W86 MORTAR, or the 160mm Mortar M1943. A hundred of self-propelled mortars are also in RMA's inventory (See Below)

Anti-tank weapons

[edit]

The Royal Moroccan Army employs a variety of anti-tank weapons, ranging from disposable, man-portable rockets to armored tank destroyers equipped with guided missiles.

Portable anti-tank rockets are employed by the infantry. Recoilless rifles are still in use, often mounted on trucks or other military vehicles, but they are being replaced by more effective anti-tank guided missiles. Tank destroyers represent the most mobile and best protected anti-tank weapons in service. Older gun-armed vehicles are being replaced by missile-equipped vehicles. Several of the army's infantry fighting vehicles are likewise equipped with anti-tank missiles, adding to the anti-tank weaponry available in the field.[10]

Anti-tank weapons of the Royal Moroccan Army
System Type Origin Image Qty Notes
M40A1 Recoilless rifle  United States
350 [citation needed]
SPG-9  Bulgaria
496 [13] ATGL-H Bulgarian version
B-10  Soviet Union
Obsolete
RK-3 Corsar Anti-tank guided missile  Ukraine
U/N [14]
BGM-71 TOW  United States
(1,200) TOW 2A, Radio Frequency (RF) Missiles (BGM-71-4B-RF)

(2,401) TOW 2A, Radio Frequency (RF) Missiles (BGM-71-4B-RF); and twenty eight (28) TOW 2A, Radio Frequency (RF) Missiles (BGM-71-4B-RF), Fly-to-Buy missiles for lot acceptance testing; and Four hundred (400) M220A2 TOW Launchers and/or four hundred (400) M41 Improved Target Acquisition System (ITAS) Launchers.

[15] [16]
Skif (anti-tank guided missile)  Ukraine
125 launchers,1000 missiles [17]
FGM-148 Javelin  United States
200 LWCLU launchers [18]
Spike LR2  Israel
Morocco acquired the LR2 ATGM [19]
Spike NLOS  Israel
Morocco acquired the NLOS ATGM [20]
AGM-114 Hellfire  United States
AGM-114L/R variants , used on the AH-64E attack helicopter [21]
9M133 Kornet  Russia
Kornet-E version seen in 2019 [22], large quantities
9M113 Konkurs  Soviet Union
Konkurs-M version, acquired via India [23] Archived 3 December 2023 at the Wayback Machine. Large quantities
9K115-2 Metis-M  Russia
[11] Large quantities
MILAN  France
 West Germany
~850 [citation needed]
HJ-8L  People's Republic of China
U/N
HOT (missile)  France
U/N [24] HOT-1 and HOT-2 versions, mounted on Aérospatiale Gazelle
HJ-9  People's Republic of China
U/N [25], seen in manoeuvres in the northern sector [26]
M47 Dragon  United States
440 Launchers Large stock of missiles [27][usurped][citation needed]
9M14 Malyutka  Soviet Union
50 [citation needed]
Cobra (missile)  West Germany
~250 Used on the UR-416 APC [28]
LRAC-F1 Shoulder-launched missile weapon  France
2000+
APILAS  France
1000+
Type 69 Anti-tank rocket  People's Republic of China
Bipod launcher[10]
RPG-7V  Soviet Union
[12][13]
AT4  United States
U/N AT4CS version [29]
M72 LAW  United States
500+ [12]
M20 Super Bazooka Anti-tank rocket
Limited use; obsolescent[12]
M901 ITV Tank destroyer
105 [citation needed] [30]

Vehicles

[edit]

Utility vehicles

[edit]

The RMA's high-mobility multipurpose vehicles serves as cargo/troop carrier, weapons platform, and ambulance, among many other roles. 4000 HMMWV[14] in different versions, 1,200 URO VAMTACs and 800 URO VAM-TL[15] are part of RMAs inventory, which also includes various CUCVs. 378 GM Defense CUCVs (138 M1008, 188 M1009 and 52 M1028) and 278 M151s were received, and an unknown number of Santana Motor's Land Rover Model 88/106, Toyota FJ40, Jeep Auverland and Nissan Patrol ML-6 are also in service. An unknown number of ACMAT AVTL have also been purchased.[16]

Military logistics' missions are the storage, distribution, maintenance, evacuation, and disposition of materiel, the transport of personnel, the acquisition or construction, maintenance, operation, and disposition of facilities, the acquisition or furnishing of services and Medical and health service support. It is the most important part and considered the base for the main mission of the RMA. Because of its topography and extensive range of action, the transport and resupply of troops posted in the Wall and East Frontier, where aerial transport is impossible or counterproductive, the use of land transport is primordial. The amount of active equipment is unknown, but estimations are possible. The number of medium and heavy trucks, HETs and Palletized Load Systems (PLS) purchased or in service were 250 IVECO M3-21.14 TT, ~3500 M35 and Variants, 387 M54 and variants, ~1,000 M800 series, 195 M816 Wrecker, ~160 M900 series, ~1000 TRM10000/9000 BMH, 600 ACMAT VLRA and 92 Tata LPTA 2445.[17] An unknown number of Pegaso 3055, Mercedes-Benz Actros and Unimog are also in RMA's inventory. The Heavy Equipment Transport Systems (HETS) received were an unknown number of M746, 6 M747, 23 M1070, 133 M911 HETS and 100 IVECO TRACTOR. Two M1075 & M1076 Palletized load systems were also purchased.

Armoured recovery vehicles (ARV) are used to repair damaged as well as broken-down armoured vehicles during combat, or to tow them out of the danger zone for more extensive repairs. For this mission 86 M578, 10 SK-105 ARV, 4 VT1A ARV and 81 M88 Recovery Vehicles were acquired.

Military engineering vehicles are vehicles built for the construction work or for the transportation of combat engineers on the battlefield. Bulldozers are extensively used, all along with 6 M728 Combat Engineer Vehicle.[18]

Tanks

[edit]

Around 1100 tanks are in service: 150 VT-1A, 222 M1A1SA & 162 M1A2M, 148 T-72B and 427 M60A3/A3TTS Patton. M48 Pattons were retired from active service and stored as reserve with the 1991 cease-fire, the SK-105 Kürassiers had the same fate. It was reported in December 2022 that Morocco was transferring T-72s to Ukraine.[19]

Model Image Origin Quantity Notes
M1 Abrams
 United States 222[20] -222 M1A1SA [20]

-162 M1A2 SEPv3 on order[21][22]

M60 Patton

340[20] still in use, upgraded locally

-220 M60A1[20]

- +120 M60A3 TTS[20]

M48 Patton
200[20] Locally upgraded

Stored[20]

VT-1A Al Khalid
 China
 Pakistan
54[23][20] 150 were ordered around 2010.[24][25] 54 received in 2011, the rest was cancelled due to engine replacement issues[26]
T-72B/BK
 Belarus 87[20] 40 T-72B and 47 T-72EA.[20] 47 T-72B tanks were procured and upgraded from the Czech Excalibur company, all existing units were upgraded with the company in Morocco [31] adding CITV, and other advanced equipments

(6th royal armored brigade:The Russian brigade)

AMX-10 RC
 France 80[20] Tank destroyer
SK-105 Kürassier
 Austria 111[20] Light tank; They are held in reserve, locally modernized and used in the Moroccan portions of the Sahara.

Armoured personnel carriers, infantry fighting vehicles and support vehicles

[edit]
Model Image Origin Type Quantity Notes
Armoured personnel carriers/Infantry fighting vehicles
Bradley Fighting Vehicle
 United States Infantry fighting vehicle On-Point defense was contracted to supply TOW launchers and related equipment to the Bradley IFV for both Morocco and Ukraine.

<500 on order [32]

[33]

AIFV
123[20] 19 AIFV-B-.50 + 90 AIFV-B-C25 + 1 AIFV-B-CP
AMX-10P
 France 10[20]
Ratel IFV
 South Africa 60[20] 30 Ratel 20 + 30 Ratel 90[20]
Eland armoured car
 South Africa Reconnaissance 16[20] Eland 20/90
BRDM-2
 Soviet Union Amphibious armoured Scout car U/N
AML 60/90
 France Light armored vehicle 228[20] 190 AML-90 and 38 AML-60[20]
Panhard ERC
 France Armored car (military) 40[20]
M113
 United States Armored

Personnel

Carrier

~1172[20] 400 M113A1, M113A2, 419 M113A3, 86 M577A2 (CP), 80 M901, 60 M163, 36 M106A2, 91 M1064A3[20]
TATA Kestrel
 India 150 on order. To be locally produced by Tata Advanced Systems[27]
VAB VCI/VTT
 France 405[20] 45 VAB VCI+ 320 VAB VTT+ 20 more of VAB-ECH.[20] They had been modernised and upgraded locally under the name "ifrane".
OT-64 SKOT
 Czechoslovakia 95 [34]
Thyssen Henschel UR-416
 West Germany 70 [35]
Panhard M3
 France 54[5]
Ejder Yalçın
 Turkey Armored car 34 (30 procured from Turkey with the SERDAR RCWS, 4 were given from the UAE as a gift)[36]
Otokar Cobra II
 Turkey Morocco purchased the Cobra II MRAP vehicles. ( 200 for the ground forces + 20 for peacekeepers) [37] [38]
HMMWV
 United States 4000[28] all versions
URO VAMTACs
 Spain +1200 locally assembled under the name Atlas
Hawkei
 Australia U/N This armored vehicle appeared in a trailer for a movie that featured Moroccan military vehicles.
Sherpa Light
 France 36[citation needed] APC version ordered for CAESAR crews and special forces
Cougar (MRAP)
 United States U/N as seen in the photo, Cougar 6x6 is in service, seen in a Chinese-Moroccan film
Lenco BearCat
 United States 88 [39] used by the auxiliary forces and peacekeeping forces
Polaris RZR
 United States Tactical vehicle U/N used by M-SOF. [40]

Drones

[edit]

Lately after the relations between Morocco and Israel were strengthened, many weapons were procured, including drones and loitering munitions

Name Type Picture Numbers Origin Notes
IAI Harop Loitering munition
Large quantities, locally manufactured  Israel [41] [42] [43]
IAI Harpy
Large quantities, locally manufactured  Israel [44]
SkyStriker Large quantities, seen with the PULS MLRS, to be manufactured locally .  Israel [45]
SpyX Seen in use by the Moroccan ground forces , manufactured locally .  Israel [46]
Hero drone
Reported to have been exported to Morocco  Israel [47]
Wander-B VTOL Intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition, and reconnaissance Seen in use by Morocco, 150 in service  Israel [48]
Thunder-B VTOL Intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition, and reconnaissance Seen in use by Morocco, 150 in service  Israel [49]
Thunder-B Intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition, and reconnaissance Exported to Morocco  Israel [50]

Artillery

[edit]

The Artillery, grouped in GARs, includes self-propelled howitzers, towed howitzers, multiple launch rocket systems and air defense systems, mortar carriers are part of the RIMZ.

The equipment includes: 300+ 155mm M109 SPH in different versions, 60 203mm M110A2 SPH, received as EDA from USA, and 100 155mm Mk F3 remain in service. Only 155mm towed howitzers are deployed all along the Moroccan Wall, that includes 140 155mm (M198, FH-70, M-1950, M114), 18 130mm (M1954). Besides this 54 105mm (M101 and L118) are deployed in different regions.

2 Battalions of multiple launch rocket are also listed as part of RMAs inventory, the first with 36 122mm BM-21 and the second with 36 300mm AR2.

Self-propelled artillery
Model Country of origin Type Quantity Notes Image
M109  United States Self-propelled howitzer 200[20] M109A1,A1B,A2,A3,A4,A5[20]
2S19 Msta-S  Russia U/N Rosoboronexport Deputy chief Viktor Komardin announced that Russia has delivered to Morocco a batch of Msta-S self-propelled howitzers

[51]

Mk F3 155 mm  France 90[20] [52]. Locally modernized with new data links and new software and a new weapon system
CAESAR 36[20] [29]
M110  United States 60[20]
Towed artillery
L118  United Kingdom Field gun 30[20] [53]
M101  United States 20[20] [54]
130 mm towed field gun M1954 (M-46)  Soviet Union 18[20] [55]
FH70  United Kingdom Howitzer 30[20] [56]
M114  United States 20[20] [57]
M198 howitzer 35 [58]
Rocket artillery
BM-21  Soviet Union Multiple rocket launcher 35[20] 122mm,[30] APR-21 Romanian version, still in service
M142 HIMARS  United States A 524 million USD deal for 18 systems, along with munitions and related systems [59]
PHL-03  China 36[20] 300mm[citation needed], AR2 version with a range of 140 km, 1m CEP [60]
Lynx (multiple rocket launcher)  Israel 12[20] 300mm, PULS variant with a range of 300 km [61]

[62]

Astros II  Brazil U/N 450mm

[63]

Weishi Rockets  China 36 400mm [64] [65] WS-2D version with a range of 400 km
Ballistic missiles
Predator Hawk  Israel Short-range ballistic missile 300 km Predator Hawk was officially confirmed when it appeared with the moroccan PULS MLRS [66]
LORA (missile)  Israel Short-range ballistic missile 430 km [67] Shai Cohen, the Special Envoy, Defense and Security Exports & Cooperation director, announced that Israel gave morocco all kinds of ballistic technology [68]
MGM-140 ATACMS  United States Tactical ballistic missile 300 km Morocco purchased 40 M57 ATACMS with a range of 300 km, along with the HIMARS system [69]
Cruise missiles
Sea Breaker (missile)  Israel Cruise missile 300 km Was purchased to guarantee the safety of his coasts [70]
Delilah (missile)  Israel Air-launched cruise missile 250 km Used on the F-5E TII/III platforms [71]

[72] [73]

Harpoon (missile)  United States Air-launched cruise missile 124 km Used on the F-16C/D

[74]

AGM-154 Joint Standoff Weapon  United States Air-launched cruise missile 130 km Morocco purchased the JSOW-C variant, to be used on the F-16C/D

[75]

YJ-12  China Anti-ship cruise missile 300 km Defensa reported that Morocco is in negotiations for the YJ-12B AShCM

[76]

Self-propelled mortar
M125A1  United States Mortar carrier 20 With an 81 mm M29 mortar
M1064 91[20] With a 120mm M120 mortar
AML-60  France 35 With a Brandt Mle CM60A1

Air defense systems

[edit]

After years of negligence of its air defense capabilities Morocco shifted its air defense strategy, investing heavily in new air defense bases and systems.[31]

Morocco has been slowly building a multi-layered air defense system consisting of HIMAD and SHORAD systems in order to give Moroccan air space maximum protection.[32]

Moroccan air defense system consists of the newly acquired advanced long range Chinese HIMAD systems the FD-2000B with a maximum range of 250 km range,[33] the Chinese Sky Dragon 50 with a maximum range of 50 km,[31] the Barak 8 MX with multiple layers of coverage (35–150 km), and the American Patriot PAC-3 MSE with a range of 60 km against ballistic missiles

The man-portable air-defense systems used by the infantry are the 9K32 "Strela-2" (SA-7 Grail), 9K38 "Igla" (SA-18 Grouse).

Other systems include AAG as M1939 (61-K), ZU-23-2 or M167 VADS, usually mounted on LUVs and CUCVs.

This list shows only the publicly-known air defenses.

Model Origin Type Notes Image
Surface-to-air missiles
MIM-104 Patriot  United States HIMAD Unknown The type will be PAC-3 MSE standard.
HQ-9B  China 4 batteries, FD-2000B variant, each of the 4 batteries consists of 6-8 transporter erector launchers,[34] maximum range: 250 km
Barak 8  Israel
 India
>6 batteries [77], the version ordered is the Barak MX, with a range up to 150 km
SPYDER  Israel U/N Defensa cited that Morocco has chosen the SPYDER AD [78]
Sky Dragon 50  China >7 batteries [79]. 50 km range, IBIS 200 radar with a range of 200 km
MICA  France SHORAD 4-6 batteries Each of the batteries will consist of four to six launcher units [35][36] all received
Aster (missile family)  France
 Italy
Used in the FREMM multipurpose frigate, has a range of above 30 km, Aster 15 variant
Aspide  France Used in the Descubierta-class corvette, 25 km range, ordered between 1977 and 1983
Crotale  France (Crotale NG and Mk.3)[80]
Mistral (missile)  France [81] Mistral 3 version, will be used on the Sherpa Light APC
MIM-72 Chaparral  United States 72 vehicles, 504 missiles Unknown
9K32 Strela-2  Soviet Union MANPADS U/N
9K38 Igla  Soviet Union U/N
Self-propelled anti-aircraft weapons
Tunguska M1  Soviet Union Self-propelled anti-aircraft gun 12 batteries, 72 vehicles 2K22M1 version
ZU-23-4  Soviet Union 100 ZU-23-4
M163  United States 115
Anti-aircraft guns
ZPU  Soviet Union Anti-aircraft gun ~200[20] ZPU-2

ZPU-4

ZU-23-2  Soviet Union Anti-aircraft gun ~90[20]
M167 VADS
 United States 40[20]
Type 90  China >12 batteries
Bofors 40 mm L/60 gun  Sweden Used on the Descubierta-class corvette
Phalanx CIWS  United States Close-in weapon system Used on the USS Bristol County Sidi Mohammed Ben Abdellah 407
Phalanx CIWS is clearly installed on the top of the deck

Radars

[edit]
Model Origin Image Type Quantity Notes
MSSR  United States
Air radar U/N
AN/TPS-63  United States
Air radar [82] the majority of the radars have been upgraded to the TPS-63 MSSR which has a range of 740 km
EL/M-2084  Israel
Air radar U/N part of the Barak 8 system, has a max range of 475 km, Active electronically scanned array radar
YLC-2 Radar  China Air radar U/N [83] YLC-2V version with a range of 500 km, entered service in 2012
Ground Master 403  France
Air radar 3 [84]
Ground Master 400  France
Air radar 2 [85]
AN/TPS-77  United States
Air radar [86] 463 km in range, depending on the state of deployment, AN/TPS-77 MRR version
AN/TPS-79  United States
Air radar 220km range [87]
AN/TPS-43  United States
Air radar [88] 450 km range.
AN/MPQ-64 Sentinel  United States
Air radar 8 [89] AN/MPQ-64F1 version
RASIT  France
Ground radar U/N [90]
RATAC-S  Germany Ground radar U/N Sold to Morocco [91]
AF902 FC   Switzerland Air radar UN Chinese copy of Skyguard[37]
BOR-A 550  France
Ground radar U/N
AN/PPS-5A  United States
Ground radar U/N
AN/MPQ-49 Forward Area Alerting Radar  United States Air radar U/N [92]
Stentor battlefield radar  France
Ground radar 20
ARSS-1  United States Ground radar 12 [citation needed]
Bur radar  West Germany Ground radar U/N [93]

Electronic Warfare

[edit]

N.B : this list does not contain all EW systems used by Morocco

Model Origin Type Notes Quantity
Alinet system  Israel Electronic warfare/Signals intelligence [94] [95] 70 million USD deal with Elbit Systems U/N
KORAL-EW  Turkey Electronic warfare Morocco signed a deal with

Turkish Aselsan to buy KORAL-EW.[38][39]

U/N
Bukovel (counter unmanned aircraft system)  Ukraine used as an anti-drone system, has a 70–100 km detection range and 15 km jamming range
[96]
SkyLock Dome  Israel also used as an anti-drone system [97]
AARTOS system  Germany anti-drone system, used by the royal gendarmerie [98]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Excess Defense Articles (EDA) Database
  2. ^ https://www.unroca.org/ [bare URL]
  3. ^ "Morocco" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 17 June 2015. Retrieved 2 March 2014.
  4. ^ wiw_af_morocco – worldinventory
  5. ^ a b "Trade Registers". Archived from the original on 29 December 2017. Retrieved 2 March 2014.
  6. ^ The Military Balance in the Middle East – February 19, 2004
  7. ^ "Morocco Telegraph | the Moroccan army is changing its uniform to a modern one". 13 July 2021.
  8. ^ https://web.archive.org/web/20100212105042/http://sites.google.com/site/worldinventory/wiw_af_morocco. 2010-02-12. Archived from the original on 12 February 2010. Retrieved 1/12/2024.
  9. ^ Morocco, Spain, Portugal, France, Chile, Brazil = MK47 Auto Grenade Launcher [1]
  10. ^ a b Tiger, Grey, "Light Antitank Weapons", World Infantry Weapons: Morocco, archived from the original on 3 April 2016, retrieved 9 December 2016
  11. ^ "KBP Metis M/ M1 AT Guided Missile". Archived from the original on 27 February 2014. Retrieved 2 March 2014.
  12. ^ a b c Jones, Richard D. Jane's Infantry Weapons 2008–09. Jane's Information Group; 34 edition (2008).
  13. ^ Jones, Richard D. Jane's Infantry Weapons 2009/2010. Jane's Information Group; 35 edition (27 January 2009). ISBN 978-0-7106-2869-5.
  14. ^ "Excess Defense Articles (EDA) | Defense Security Cooperation Agency".
  15. ^ Cembrero, Ignacio (5 February 2007). "España vende a Rabat 1.200 blindados como los usados en Afganistán | España | EL PAÍS". El País.
  16. ^ "Vlra2 Bastion". Archived from the original on 28 February 2014. Retrieved 2 March 2014.
  17. ^ "Moroccan Army Receives TATA Trucks | TURDEF". turdef.com. 17 January 2023. Archived from the original on 16 June 2024. Retrieved 24 July 2024.
  18. ^ 2005 Excess Defence Articles for Morocco Archived 30 July 2013 at the Wayback Machine
  19. ^ Lionel, Ekene (19 December 2022). "Morocco choose sides, supplies T-72B tanks to Ukraine". military.africa. Retrieved 31 January 2024.
  20. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak al am an ao Military Balance 2024. IISS. 2024. ISBN 9781040051153.
  21. ^ "Morocco's armament raises concern in Spain | The North Africa Post". northafricapost.com. Retrieved 9 February 2021.
  22. ^ "Royal Moroccan Armed Forces". defenceWeb. 30 January 2021. Retrieved 10 May 2021.
  23. ^ "Armor: Chinese Tanks In North Africa". www.strategypage.com. Retrieved 9 February 2021.
  24. ^ "Armor: Chinese Tanks in North Africa".
  25. ^ "The acquisition of the US and Chinese tanks will allow Morocco to retire much of its existing tank fleet" Janes Defence Weekly 2012/06/20 [permanent dead link]
  26. ^ UN Register of Conventional Arms
  27. ^ "Convention d'investissement entre l'Administration de la Défense Nationale et le groupe indien Tata". MAP Express (in French). Retrieved 2 October 2024.
  28. ^ "Royal Moroccan Armed Forces". defenceWeb. 30 January 2021. Retrieved 23 November 2021.
  29. ^ "Morocco acquiring new air defence systems". defenceWeb. 25 May 2020. Retrieved 14 January 2021.
  30. ^ "Nexter Caesar self propelled guns for Moroccan army". www.globaldefencemart.com. Retrieved 4 January 2021.
  31. ^ a b Defensa.com (19 December 2021). "Marruecos inaugura su primera base de defensa aérea de largo alcance con una batería china FD-2000B". www.defensa.com (in Spanish). Retrieved 24 December 2021.
  32. ^ "Morocco Opens First Military Base with Chinese Air Defense". The Defense Post. 21 December 2021. Retrieved 24 December 2021.
  33. ^ "China's FD-2000B air defense system will guard Moroccan base". bulgarianmilitary.com. Retrieved 24 December 2021.
  34. ^ "FD-2000 long range air defense missile system technical data | China Chinese army missile systems vehicles | Chinese China army military equipment armoured UK". www.armyrecognition.com. Archived from the original on 6 April 2023. Retrieved 23 December 2021.
  35. ^ "Morocco To Acquire New Air Defense Systems". Defense.info. 4 June 2020. Retrieved 24 December 2021.
  36. ^ "VL MICA | Ground Based Air Defence, MICA Solution". MBDA. Retrieved 24 December 2021.
  37. ^ A AF902 Artillery fire control system and radar, part of a RMA convoy seen in Morocco [2]
  38. ^ GDC (23 June 2021). "Turkish Aselsan Inks $50.7 Million Export Deal With Morocco For Koral-EW". Global Defense Corp. Retrieved 18 July 2021.
  39. ^ "Morocco signs $50.7 million deal with Turkey to acquire 'Koral Electronic Warfare System'". Assahifa. Retrieved 18 July 2021.