Rank #53 · Africa
Morocco is Africa's second-largest military spender, allocating approximately $5.2 billion — nearly 3.8% of GDP — in 2025, driven overwhelmingly by the frozen conflict in Western Sahara and a broader modernisation push. The Royal Armed Forces have undergone sustained Western-aligned procurement since the 1990s, accelerating after the 2020 Abraham Accords opened a new defence relationship with Israel.
Morocco's defence appropriation of approximately MAD 54 billion for FY2025 reflects the entrenched cost of maintaining forces across the Western Sahara berm — a 2,700km fortified sand wall separating Moroccan-controlled territory from Polisario Front-held areas. Capital spending priorities include F-16 Block 72 upgrades (a 2019 contract with Lockheed Martin covering 23 aircraft to MLU standard), additional AH-64E Apache Guardians, Patriot PAC-3 MSE batteries negotiated in 2024, and domestically assembled Paramount Mbombe armoured vehicles. The 2020 normalisation with Israel added Hermes 900 UAS, Spike anti-tank systems, and cyber/intelligence technology, adding new procurement lines not reflected in older SIPRI data.
The Royal Armed Forces field ~196,000 active personnel: Royal Moroccan Army (~175,000), Royal Moroccan Navy (~13,000), and Royal Moroccan Air Force (~13,000). The Army maintains a heavy presence along the Western Sahara berm and at the Spanish enclave borders of Ceuta and Melilla. Armour includes M1A1 Abrams (222 units, the largest M1 fleet outside the US at time of delivery), T-72 and AMX-30. The Air Force operates F-16C/D Fighting Falcons (24, with Block 72 MLU underway) and F-16Vs, complemented by Mirage F1s in secondary roles. A small submarine force (two Agosta-90B) and Sigma-class frigates anchor the Navy.
Morocco has a growing but still nascent defence industry, focused on vehicle assembly, electronics integration, and maintenance. The state-owned GIAD Morocco and MAPCO facilities assemble Paramount Mbombe 4x4 and 6x6 armoured personnel carriers under South African licence. The Moroccan Royal Naval Air Arm maintains its own aircraft at Kenitra. Israel's Rafael and Elbit Systems have established MRO partnerships post-Abraham Accords. Morocco's geographic position has attracted interest as a potential defence export hub to sub-Saharan Africa. Domestic arms production capacity remains limited to light arms, ammunition, and vehicle assembly; no independent fighter aircraft or naval combatant production exists.
The Western Sahara dispute is Morocco's dominant security driver. The 1991 ceasefire collapsed in November 2020 when Polisario Front resumed hostilities after Moroccan troops entered the Guerguerat crossing. Since then, Polisario has conducted sporadic drone and artillery attacks on berm positions, while Morocco has responded with Bayraktar TB2 (acquired from Turkey) strikes on Polisario logistics. The 2020 Abraham Accords and subsequent US recognition of Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara in exchange for normalisation significantly altered the diplomatic balance. Algeria — Polisario's key backer — severed diplomatic relations with Morocco in 2021. The Algeria-Morocco rivalry fuels an ongoing arms race in the Maghreb.
Lockheed Martin completed the first F-16 Block 72 Mid-Life Upgrade delivery to the Royal Moroccan Air Force in late 2024, with the full batch of 23 aircraft expected through 2026. Morocco signed a letter of offer and acceptance for Patriot PAC-3 MSE in 2024 — its first strategic air-defence system. In January 2025, Morocco and Israel conducted their first joint military exercise, Exercise Lioness, reflecting the deepening defence partnership. The Moroccan Navy commissioned a third Damen SIGMA-class corvette in mid-2025. SIPRI's April 2026 data confirmed Morocco as Africa's second-largest military spender behind Egypt.
The Western Sahara conflict is the primary driver. Morocco maintains a 2,700km fortified berm and ~100,000 troops in the territory. The 2020 collapse of the 1991 ceasefire and the ongoing drone exchange with Polisario forces have kept defence spending at nearly 4% of GDP.
The Royal Moroccan Air Force operates F-16C/D Fighting Falcons (Block 52+), with an ongoing Block 72 Mid-Life Upgrade programme contracted in 2019 for 23 aircraft. Legacy Mirage F1s remain in service in a secondary role. Morocco does not operate a fifth-generation fighter.
Significantly. Since the December 2020 normalisation with Israel, Morocco has acquired Israeli Hermes 900 drones, Spike NLOS anti-tank missiles, and advanced cyber-intelligence technology from Elbit Systems and Rafael. Israel has become a key defence partner alongside traditional suppliers France and the US.
No, but Morocco is a Major Non-NATO Ally (MNNA), designated by the US in 2004. This status facilitates preferential arms sales, joint training, and logistical cooperation. Morocco conducts annual African Lion exercises with US AFRICOM and participates in NATO's Mediterranean Dialogue.