The Royal Moroccan Air Force (RMAF) will this year send pilots and aircraft technicians for training in flight and maintenance of the AH-64E Apache combat helicopters due to be delivered to Rabat in 2024.
The training is in preparation for the delivery of 24 Apache helicopters acquired from Boeing by the RMAF in November 2019 through the US Army Foreign Military Sales ((FMS) programme.
In terms of the deal, Morocco will also receive accessories and personnel training to the value of US$4.25 billion. Should Morocco exercise the option of acquiring 10 more, it could end up with 34 advanced Apaches in its inventory.
Several batches of RMAF pilots and operations support staff will be trained in the US State of Utah for a period of two months.
The Moroccan Apache order includes 21 manned/unmanned teaming video receivers and 39 manned/unmanned air-to-ground kits which allow pilots to take over the flight controls and video feed of a nearby unmanned vehicle.
Rated as one of the most lethal combat helicopters since it came into operation in 1989, the Apache is presently operated by the US, United Kingdom, Israel, Greece, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the Netherlands and Japan.