Morocco has taken another significant step in consolidating its position as one of Africa’s most capable air forces, following its inclusion in a major U.S. Foreign Military Sales (FMS) radar support contract for the F-16 Fighting Falcon. The agreement, valued at approximately $304 million, covers long-term radar maintenance, repair, and sustainment services and will run through 2030.
The contract, awarded to Northrop Grumman, supports multiple international F-16 operators, but Morocco stands out as the only African country included, highlighting the growing strategic importance of the Royal Moroccan Air Force (RMAF) within the broader F-16 global ecosystem.
Morocco operates one of the most advanced F-16 fleets on the African continent. Its aircraft are undergoing upgrades aligned with the F-16 Block 70/72 “Viper” standard, including modern mission computers, improved avionics, and advanced radar systems.
The newly awarded support contract focuses specifically on radar sustainment, a critical component for maintaining combat effectiveness in modern air operations. Reliable radar performance underpins:
- Beyond-visual-range (BVR) combat
- Air sovereignty missions
- Integrated air defence operations
By securing long-term radar support, Morocco ensures that its F-16s remain fully operational and technologically relevant well into the next decade.
While radar sustainment may appear less visible than aircraft or missile acquisitions, it is arguably just as important. Modern air forces increasingly depend on availability rates, readiness, and lifecycle management, not simply platform numbers.
This agreement provides Morocco with:
- Guaranteed access to U.S. technical expertise
- Predictable sustainment costs
- Improved fleet readiness
- Closer integration with U.S. and allied air forces
It also reflects Washington’s confidence in Morocco as a stable and reliable defence partner in North Africa.
The radar support contract complements several parallel developments in Moroccan military aviation:
- Ongoing F-16 fleet upgrades
- Approved acquisition of AIM-120C-8 AMRAAM air-to-air missiles
- Expansion of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) capabilities
- Investment in domestic maintenance infrastructure, including new heavy MRO facilities for F-16s and C-130s
Taken together, these efforts demonstrate a coherent strategy focused not only on acquiring advanced systems, but on ensuring their long-term operational sustainability.
Morocco’s inclusion in this contract sends a clear message: the RMAF is no longer a peripheral operator, but a fully integrated member of the global F-16 community. In a region marked by increasing competition in air power capabilities, sustained readiness and modern sensors are decisive factors.
Rather than pursuing headline-grabbing acquisitions alone, Morocco is investing in the less visible—but essential—foundation of air combat power: maintenance, support, and operational reliability.
This radar support contract may not involve new aircraft deliveries, but it plays a crucial role in ensuring that Morocco’s F-16s remain combat-ready, interoperable, and credible for years to come.
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