The Royal Moroccan Air Force received its second batch of six Boeing AH-64E Apache Guardian attack helicopters on April 7, 2026, underscoring a significant milestone in the kingdom’s ongoing drive to modernise its rotary-wing strike capabilities. Moroccan media reported on April 7 that the second lot consists of six helicopters, with serials in the 2407–2412 range, under the phased delivery of the 24-aircraft order signed with Boeing in 2020, alongside an option for 12 more.
The delivery brings Morocco’s operational rotary-wing fleet to 12 aircraft. These helicopters have arrived at the 7th Air Base in Khouribga, a facility that has undergone extensive upgrades to accommodate two Apache squadrons within its Aerocombat Wing. This shipment follows the initial tranche of six aircraft delivered in March 2025. Analysts monitoring the transfer identified the new airframes by serial numbers 2407 through 2412, a numbering pattern consistent with the staged delivery timetable set out in the 2020 government-to-government agreement.
The arrival ceremony underscored the strategic depth of the U.S.–Moroccan partnership. Among the key attendees were Abdellatif Loudiyi, Delegate Minister for the National Defence Administration; General Mohammed Berrid, Inspector General of the Royal Armed Forces; and General Michael Langley, Commander of U.S. Africa Command. By adhering to the phased delivery schedule, the Royal Moroccan Air Force (RMAF) is positioned to incorporate these platforms into its force structure without imposing undue strain on its logistics sustainment or on its pilot training pipeline.
This acquisition traces its origins to a June 2020 contract valued at roughly $1.5 billion for 24 helicopters, along with an option to procure an additional 12 units. Boeing began assembling the aircraft at its Mesa, Arizona, facility in November 2023. The program forms a pivotal pillar of Morocco’s wider military modernisation drive, aimed at phasing out legacy platforms such as the SA342 Gazelle. Although the Gazelle served for decades in light reconnaissance and anti-tank roles, it cannot match the heavy protection, advanced sensor suite, and all-weather effectiveness of the modern Apache.
The AH-64E Apache Guardian is conceived as a networked “digital warrior” tailored to high-intensity warfare. The aircraft is propelled by two General Electric T700-GE-701D turboshaft engines, delivering 2,000 shaft horsepower each. This powerplant enables speeds of approximately 300 kph and supports operations at a service ceiling of 20,000 feet. The airframe is also engineered to remain flight-capable after sustaining impacts from 23mm-class ammunition, underscoring its survivability in contested environments.
The armament package behind Morocco’s Apache program is what makes this acquisition strategically important. In its 2019 notification, the U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency listed 36 AH-64E helicopters for the broader potential sale package, including 551 AGM-114R Hellfire missiles, 60 AGM-114L Hellfires, 588 APKWS precision-guided rocket kits, 200 AIM-92H Stinger missiles, 93,000 rounds of 30 mm ammunition, 81 M261 rocket launchers, 78 M299 missile launchers, 36 M230E1 automatic guns, 36 M-TADS/PNVS sensor suites, 18 AN/APG-78 Longbow fire-control radars, MUMT-2 kits, and six Link 16 terminals. Boeing’s current AH-64E data shows a two-crew aircraft with a maximum operating weight of 23,000 pounds, speed above 150 knots, a 20,000-foot service ceiling, and a standard heavy load of 16 Hellfires, 76 rockets, and 1,200 rounds for the chain gun.
That weapons mix gives Morocco options across the full tactical spectrum. The 30 mm M230 allows rapid engagement of exposed troops, technicals, and light fortifications; Hellfire provides precision anti-armour and hardened-target strikes; APKWS provides a cheaper precision effect against dispersed vehicles and positions; and Stinger adds limited self-protection and counter-helicopter or low-slow air-threat capability. Combined with M-TADS/PNVS and Longbow radar, the AH-64E can search, classify, and attack targets by day or night and in degraded weather, rather than depending on visual conditions or a narrow target set.
Integrated Strike and Sensor Capabilities
Morocco’s most consequential operational advantage lies in the AN/APG-78 Longbow Fire Control Radar. Mounted on the mast, the system can detect and classify up to 256 targets concurrently, even amid complex weather conditions or heavy smoke. By fusing radar data with the helicopter’s weapons suite, the Apache can execute rapid, “fire-and-forget” engagements—minimising exposure time while maximising lethality. The procurement further encompasses 551 AGM-114R Hellfire missiles and Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS) kits, which transform unguided 70mm rockets into laser-guided precision munitions for more discriminate strikes.
Beyond conventional firepower, the AH-64E incorporates Manned-Unmanned Teaming (MUM-T). Through this capability, Moroccan aircrews can receive near-real-time video feeds from unmanned aerial vehicles, and—depending on configuration—can also cue or directly influence the drones’ flight paths and sensor employment. The result is a refined “sensor-to-shooter” loop that extends the aircraft’s operational reach while limiting immediate risk to the crew. The platform also leverages Link 16 data-sharing protocols to synchronise operations with ground formations and other Moroccan air assets.
Transition to a Sustainable Force
The delivery of this second batch marks a decisive step in moving the Moroccan program from an initial test and evaluation phase toward a durable, self-sustaining combat aviation capability. With 12 aircraft now in inventory, the Royal Moroccan Air Force can sustain aircraft rotations for pilot training, scheduled maintenance, and active patrol requirements. Such fleet density is a prerequisite for establishing permanent detachments capable of responding rapidly to evolving regional security challenges or participating in large-scale joint operations.
More broadly, the Apache acquisition reflects the depth of the defence relationship between Rabat and Washington. Morocco remains a major non-NATO ally and regularly hosts African Lion, the largest annual exercise for U.S. Africa Command. To prepare for these deliveries, Moroccan pilots and maintenance specialists have been enrolled in targeted training programs in the United States since 2021. This preparation is designed to ensure the force can operate and sustain advanced avionics and the T700 engines with confidence—reducing reliance on external contractor support.
The arrival of these helicopters is expected to shift the military balance in North Africa toward more networked, Western-standard operational concepts. While other regional powers field Russian-made platforms such as the Mi-28NE, Morocco’s investment in the AH-64E underscores a strategic emphasis on interoperability with U.S. and NATO formations. The significance extends beyond the number of airframes: it centres on the digital connectivity, sensor fusion, and precision strike capacity the platform brings to the joint force.
The remaining 12 helicopters from the original 24-unit order are expected to be delivered in phased increments through late 2026 and 2027. Once the 7th Air Base attains full operational capability, the Royal Moroccan Air Force will operate one of the most technologically advanced rotary-wing fleets on the continent. Future developments may include exercising the option for the additional 12 aircraft, which would raise the total fleet size to 36 units.