Rabat, Clear Skies Magazine: Morocco has been included in a major US defense contract aimed at developing the next generation of Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAM), a move expected to support the modernization of the Royal Moroccan Air Force’s F-16 fighter fleet.
The announcement was made in the latest US Department of Defense Daily Contract Announcements, which revealed that Raytheon Co. has been awarded a $398.7 million cost-plus-fixed-fee and cost-reimbursement contract for design and development work related to the AMRAAM program.
According to the Pentagon, the contract covers “D4/C9 system requirements review and preliminary design review activities, including proof of design and proof of manufacturing.” The work will be carried out in Tucson and is scheduled for completion by December 11, 2027.
The contract is being executed under the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program and includes Morocco among more than 30 US allies and partner nations. Other participating countries include the United Arab Emirates, Australia, Belgium, Canada, Germany, Israel, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Kuwait, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkiye, Taiwan, and the United Kingdom.
For Morocco, the agreement forms part of broader US-Morocco defense cooperation focused on enhancing the capabilities of the Royal Moroccan Air Force’s F-16 fleet.
Morocco currently operates F-16 Block 52 fighter aircraft and is in the process of acquiring the more advanced F-16 Block 72 jets, which are expected to become the backbone of the country’s combat aviation capabilities in the coming years.
Defense analysts view Morocco’s inclusion in the AMRAAM development program as a significant step toward improving interoperability with allied air forces and strengthening the kingdom’s long-term air defense and deterrence capabilities.