# Boeing begins building Morocco’s AH-64E Apache Guardian

- Link: https://www.military.africa/2023/11/boeing-begins-building-moroccos-ah-64e-apache-guardian/
- Published: 2023-11-15T09:43:54+01:00
- Author: Darek Liam

Boeing has began production of 24 AH-64E Apache Guardian attack helicopters for 
the Moroccan armed forces.

Boeing announced on 13 November of this latest development. The Boeing AH-64 Apache
is a US-made attack helicopter, it features a nose-mounted sensor suite for target
acquisition and night vision systems. Armed with a 30 mm (1.18 in) M230 chain gun
and four hardpoints mounted on stub-wing pylons a mixture of AGM-114 Hellfire missiles
and Hydra 70 rocket pods.

The AH-64E Guardian Block III (AB3) is an upgraded version incorporating 26 key 
new-technology insertions covering flight performance, maintenance costs, sensors&
electronics, and even the ability to control UAVs as part of manned-unmanned teaming(
MUT).

Work began at the Mesa facility in Arizona some three-and-a-half years after the
Foreign Military Sales (FMS) contract was signed for an undisclosed value in June
2020. Deliveries are to begin in 2024.

According to the US State Department [approval for the procurement](https://www.military.africa/2019/08/morocco-requests-24-ah-64e-apache-attack-helicopters-worth-1-5-billion/),
Morocco’s new Apaches will be armed with Lockheed Martin AGM-114L/R Hellfire air-
to-surface missiles, BAE Systems Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS) laser-
guided rocket kits and more than 5,000 70 mm rockets, and Raytheon AIM-92H Stinger
air-to-air missiles. Defensive countermeasures were also included, as was Manned-
Unmanned Teaming-2 (MUMT-2) equipment for the on-board control of unmanned aerial
vehicles (UAVs). Morocco initially [requested](https://www.military.africa/2019/11/morocco-all-set-to-buy-36-boeing-ah-64e-apache-attack-helicopter/)
for 36 airframes for $4.25 billion.

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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.

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In 2021, the Royal Moroccan Air Force (RMAF) [sent pilots and aircraft technicians for training](https://www.military.africa/2021/01/us-training-for-moroccan-apache-pilots/)
in flight and maintenance of the AH-64E Apache combat helicopters due to be delivered
to Rabat in 2024.

Leading provider of jet and turboprop engines General Electric Aviation [will supply T700 turboshaft engines](https://www.military.africa/2020/08/ge-aviation-nets-moroccos-apache-engines-deal/)
for the new fleet of Boeing AH-64E Apache attack helicopters. Part of the business
will see General Electric delivering 48 T700-701D engines and two spare parts for
the 24 Apaches set to be supplied to Morocco.

Also, Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman joint venture Longbow Limited Liability
Company (LBL) was [awarded a contract to supply](https://www.military.africa/2020/09/lockheed-martin-and-northrop-grumman-jv-gets-moroccos-apache-radar-contract/)
AN/APG-78 Longbow radars for Morocco’s Apache Guardians.

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The Royal Moroccan Air Force (RMAF), which operates all of the military’s aviation
assets, does not currently field a dedicated attack helicopter. The 24 Aérospatiale
SA342L Gazelle helicopters it currently operates in the light attack role were procured
from 1978 and is in need of replacing.

Morocco is acquiring the Apaches as part of a wider equipment procurement programme.
The North African country is revamping its combat aviation capabilities, also procuring
the latest variant [Lockheed Martin F-16 Block 70/72 Fighting Falcon ](https://www.military.africa/2020/08/lockheed-martin-nets-moroccos-f-16-contract/)
to replace the Mirage F1s it received in 1978, the Northrop F-5E/F Tiger IIs it 
received in 1980, and to augment and eventually replace the F-16C/Ds it received
from 2011.

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