US Guided Missile Cruiser, Royal Navy Take Part in Naval Drills off Agadir
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The Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Vella Gulf has taken part in naval drills alongside Morocco’s frigate Sygma Sultan Moulay Ismail on the coast of Agadir, Moroccan media reported.
The naval war games took place on the sidelines of a visit by the USS Vella Gulf to Agadir in December.
“The visit serves to enhance US-Morocco relations as the two nations work together to strengthen regional security and stability,” America’s Navy website said.
Sygma Sultan Moulay Ismaïl is a 97.9 meter long warship with 13 meter in width. With 97 staff on board, the frigate is equipped with Exocet anti-ship missiles, surface-to-air missiles, naval artillery cannon, and MU90 Impact advanced anti-submarine torpedo as well as a helicopter.
The main Atlantic bases of the Moroccan navy are found in Casablanca, Agadir and Dakhla, while the Mediterranean bases are located in Ksar Sghir and Al Hoceima.
Although it was established in 1960, the Moroccan navy traces its roots back to the 11th century with the rise of the Al Moravid dynasty. During the era of the Almohad dynasty, which stretched through the Maghreb, the Moroccan navy was the mightiest in the Mediterranean.
