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Spain is worried about the development of Morocco's army
Several official Spanish sources are said to indicate that Morocco is preparing to place a historic order for 5th generation F35 fighter jets, following the historic military agreement between the United States and Morocco.
"Spain, for its part, is concerned about Morocco's acquisition of 36 Apache AH-64 helicopters and more than 200 M1 Abrams battle tanks. Indeed, Morocco now has the opportunity to acquire the best and most expensive F35 aircraft, which few countries in the world have access to. "
"One of Madrid's fears is the possibility that Morocco will also join 'the club of arms-producing countries.' This would pose a threat to their strategic and vital interests in the Mediterranean and the Atlantic."
and indeed that's what Morocco plans to do :
"Morocco is planning a shift toward military industrialization in order to develop its own defense industry, maintain the existing military equipment, and potentially reduce arms importation."
"King Mohammed VI called for Morocco’s transition to military industrialization during his speech for the 63rd anniversary of FAR’s founding. The King outlined the country’s need for a transition to military industrialization, scientific research, and the self-development of military industries."
"The move is part of Morocco’s five-year plan, established in 2017, to reach “regional supremacy” through modernizing the military equipment of its army, airforce, and navy. "
https://www.moroccoworldnews.com/201...nal-supremacy/
"The Mohammed VI-B satellite’s imaging capabilities are secret, but it carries an optical camera and image transmission system provided by Thales Alenia Space, which served as prime contractor for the mission under an agreement with the Moroccan government. Airbus Defense and Space provided the satellite bus, which was assembled in Toulouse, France.
The Moroccan government ordered the two high-resolution Earth observation satellites — named Mohammed VI-A and VI-B — from French industry in 2013 after an intergovernmental agreement between Morocco and France.
Developed in secrecy, Mohammed VI-B is the second of the two satellites to launch. The Vega rocket deployed the satellite in a sun-synchronous north-south orbit, where it will joined its predecessor Mohammmd VI-A.
With two satellites, the Moroccan government can collect imagery of the same location with higher frequency. The Mohammed VI-A and VI-B satellites are the most capable optical surveillance satellites owned by any African nation."
"Official press releases on the Moroccan reconnaissance satellite program say the spacecraft will be “mostly used for mapping and land surveying activities, regional development, agricultural monitoring, the prevention and management of natural disasters, monitoring changes in the environment and desertification, as well as border and coastal surveillance.”
But a report published last November by the French newspaper Le Monde suggested the satellites have a strong military purpose."
“We know that Morocco is at odds with Spain and Algeria regarding certain issues and that the situation is tense at the border with Mauritania. Both these satellites will give Morocco the means to gather intelligence and an independence that no one else has in the region,” said Florence Gaillard-Sborowsky, researcher at France’s Strategic Research Foundation and an expert in space issues in the Arab region, according to Le Monde.
"This agreement signed on October 2, during the visit of the head of the Pentagon, Mark Esper, to Rabat, won the Royal Armed Forces (FAR), among others, the modernization of their fleet of F-16, the fighter jet that has undergone a series of technical and technological changes, as well as that of the 6×6 Cougars armored tanks and the MIM-104 Patriot long-range surface-to-air missile system, El Espanol newspaper reported, continuing that a The $ 768 million contract to be completed in February 2023, as announced by the Pentagon, lists Morocco among 22 countries to acquire advanced medium-range air-to-air missiles (AMRAAMs)."
"For the Spanish military leaders, it is important that their country equips itself with F-35s before 2030, continues the same source, indicating that with this transfer of technology, Madrid fears a real threat to its strategic and vital interests in the Mediterranean and in Atlantic."
What the favorite party of cristiano viejo has to say about it:
"It is “imperative” that Spain maintains its military superiority in the Western Mediterranean, Vox argued."
"Vox argued that Morocco has “considerably” increased its military capacities.
With nearly 200,000 soldiers and a 50% increase in defense spending over the past decade, Morocco’s army is “among the most numerous and modern in Africa.”
The 2020 Finance Bill in Morocco increased the budget for national defense by nearly 30%, from MAD 35.155 billion ($3.75 billion) to MAD 45.438 billion ($4.84 billion).
The decision is within the framework of Morocco’s approach to continue to reinforce its military personnel and equipment." https://www.moroccoworldnews.com/202...ilitary-gains/
"Passage of the FREMM Mohammed VI of the Royal Moroccan Navy, Atlantic Ocean. This warship is the most powerful ship in Africa, along with the Egyptian frigate Tahya Massr, which is of the same class.
In terms of armament, it carries torpedoes and missiles. In terms of electronics, this FREMM has been equipped with several devices at the cutting edge of technology. Moreover, this is what is interesting in the armament held by the Moroccan army, Morocco has state-of-the-art equipment which is not within the reach of everyone, due to authorizations and alliances. Morocco never communicates on its weapons and it is quite discreet. But the country has, for example, a Reaper drone, but also a Predator drone, drones used mainly by certain powers, including the USA and France. Recently, Morocco acquired new tanks, also acquired Apache-type combat helicopters, and new F16 Viper-type fighter planes.
Currently Morocco is still in negotiations for the acquisition of submarines and continues in the preparatory studies for the introduction of a national military industry with Moroccan manufacture."
It should also be said that military service is now mandatory in Morocco : "RABAT (Reuters) - Morocco’s ministerial council on Monday approved a draft law reinstating compulsory military service for young men and women for the first time since 2006, the Royal Cabinet said in a statement."
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-m...-idUSKCN1L52DA
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Originally Posted by Ruggery
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