The Royal Moroccan Air Force received an additional 7 Boeing AH-64E Apache attack helicopters on 8 May 2026, thereby increasing its total fleet to 13 aircraft out of the 24 ordered. The handover occurred at Cap Draa airfield in the Tan-Tan region during the closing ceremony of the African Lion 26 military exercise. Senior military officials from Morocco and the United States attended this event. This delivery follows an initial batch of six helicopters that arrived in early 2025. Boeing commenced production of the fleet in November 2023 following Morocco’s signing of a $1.5 billion defence contract in June 2020.
The 2020 foreign military sale contract includes a firm order for 24 helicopters with an option for an additional 12 units. Morocco originally requested a larger package comprising 36 airframes valued at $4.25 billion in August 2019. To prepare for the operational deployment, the Royal Moroccan Air Force dispatched pilots and maintenance technicians to the United States for specialized training during 2021. The military is stationing the new aircraft at the upgraded 7th Air Base in Khouribga, where it is establishing two dedicated Apache squadrons under its Aerocombat Wing.
MODERNIZING AFRICAN STRIKE CAPABILITIES
The AH-64E Apache Guardian is a heavily armed, network-centric attack platform designed for high-intensity military operations. It is powered by two General Electric T700-GE-701D turboshaft engines, each delivering 2,000 shaft horsepower. General Electric Aviation secured the engine supply contract in August 2020. The propulsion system enables the helicopter to achieve a maximum cruise speed of nearly 300 kilometers per hour and a service ceiling of 20,000 feet. The armored airframe is capable of withstanding ballistic impacts from 23mm ammunition, thereby enhancing crew survivability in contested airspace.
The Apache Guardian introduces advanced digital connectivity, facilitating real-time data sharing with ground forces and unmanned aerial vehicles. Its modernized target acquisition systems and night-vision sensors enable effective operation of precision-guided munitions under all weather conditions. These capabilities replace older systems, providing Morocco with an advanced rotary-wing strike capability in North Africa.
The acquisition of these advanced attack helicopters influences the regional security landscape by serving as a hindrance against both conventional and asymmetric threats. The procurement aligns with Morocco’s broader military modernization strategy aimed at securing its borders and addressing regional instability. Production schedules indicate that Boeing will deliver the remaining 11 helicopters from the initial order through phased shipments, with deliveries expected to continue throughout 2026 and conclude by the end of 2027.