Summary:

On 15 April 2025, the US State Department approved a foreign military sale to Morocco of 600 FIM-92K Stinger Block I missiles in addition to the related equipment and technical support with an estimated cost of $825 million.  

Morocco pursued this acquisition to modernize its armed forces and expand its existing short range air defense options, according to the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA). 

The deal comes a month following Morocco’s acquisition of AH-64E Apache helicopters with reconnaissance and attack capabilities intended to “better secure borders to deter and defeat terrorism in the region.” 

Meanwhile, Moroccan Foreign Affairs Minister Nasser Bourita met on 8 April with Secretary of State Marco Rubio who reiterated that the United States recognizes Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara and supports Morocco’s Autonomy Proposal. 

Outlook: 

The recent military sales agreements reflect US support for Morocco which has shown recent signs of preferring arms sales from the US and Israel over traditional partner France. 

Morocco is likely to benefit from this support to modernize its weaponry and maintain balance opposite Algerian military capabilities. The political support of the US is also likely to strengthen its position over the Western Sahara issue which remains central to regional cooperation and tensions.  

However, the military deals, besides exacerbating an arms race with Algeria, increase the potential for armed confrontation. 

Also, weapons acquisition deals with the US and Israel amid the war in Gaza are likely to raise popular opposition to Morocco’s foreign policy and provoke more anti-normalization protests.  

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