Morocco has ordered an unknown number of long-range Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS) from the US to bolster its defence capabilities.
The African country was among the five nations covered by a new $227-million contract for the supply of the Lockheed Martin-manufactured weapons. Baltic states Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Poland were included in the order.
According to the US Department of Defense, Rabat and the four other countries will also receive launch systems as part of the agreement. Work for the contract is expected to be complete by late-2028.
In 2023, Washington said the Moroccan government requested 40 ATACMS and 18 M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) launchers used to fire the missiles.
The estimated value of the original request was $524.3 million. The 2023 statement specifies that the Moroccan government requested to purchase 18 M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) launchers, 40 M57 Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS), and 36 M31A2 Guided Multiple Launch Rocket Systems (GMLRS) Unitary.
The extensive list of equipment also includes 36 M30A2 Guided Multiple Launch Rocket Systems (GMLRS) Alternative Warheads, 9 M1152A1 High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicles (HMMWV), and 18 International Field Artillery Tactical Data Systems (IFATDS).
Also on the list are a host of radio systems, tactical and supply vehicles, and GPS systems. These acquisition have drawn attention due to their strategic implications for Morocco’s defence posture in the region.
The State Department said that the proposed sale will improve Morocco’s capability to meet current and future threats and will contribute to Morocco’s ability to detect threats and control its borders, contributing to the maintenance of regional stability and security. It will also enhance the interoperability of the Royal Armed Forces (FAR), which routinely exercises with U.S. forces, focusing on countering terrorism and Violent Extremist Organizations (VEOs) in the Maghreb and Sahel region. Morocco will have no difficulty absorbing these articles into its armed forces.
One of the key reasons behind Morocco’s interest in acquiring HIMARS is to enhance its ability to counter regional security threats, particularly from non-state actors and terrorist groups. Morocco has been actively engaged in counter-terrorism efforts in the Sahel region and faces challenges from extremist groups such as ISIS and Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM). The HIMARS system, with its long-range rocket artillery capabilities, can provide Morocco with enhanced firepower and precision strike capabilities to effectively target and neutralize such threats.
Another important factor driving Morocco’s interest in acquiring HIMARS is its desire to strengthen its defense capabilities vis-à-vis its regional adversaries. Morocco has long-standing territorial disputes, particularly in Western Sahara, and has faced security challenges from militant groups operating in the region. Acquiring advanced military technologies such as HIMARS can provide Morocco with a strategic advantage in dealing with potential threats and maintaining its sovereignty.
Morocco’s neighbours, particularly Algeria, which operates the Russian-built 9K720 Iskander, and Chinese-built SR-5 Chinese 220mm Multiple Rocket Launcher (MRL) has expressed concerns over the potential acquisition of advanced military equipment by Morocco, as it could potentially disrupt the regional balance of power and lead to an arms race in the region. Algeria has its own long-standing territorial disputes with Morocco, and any significant enhancement of Morocco’s military capabilities could escalate tensions between the two countries.
In Morocco, the HIMARS will complement several WS-2D multiple rocket launchers acquired from China five years ago. The WS-2D has a range of 400 km and can carry a 200 kg warhead. Up to six rockets can be launched from a single launcher. Morocco also acquired a dozen PHL-03 (AR-2) 300 mm multiple rocket launchers from China over a decade ago.
