US State Department approves Morocco’s purchase request of 10 Air Missiles
The US State Department has approved a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Morocco of ten AGM-84L Harpoon Block II Air Launched missiles and related equipment for an estimated cost of $62 million.
The announcement was made by the Defense Security Cooperation Agency, which said it delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale on Tuesday.
According to the DSCA, the deal also includes containers, spare and repair parts, support and test equipment, publications and technical documentation, personnel training and training equipment, US Government and contractor representatives’ technical assistance, engineering and logistics support services, and other related elements of logistics support.
The Agency described Morocco as a major force that continues to maintain political stability and economic progress in North Africa, saying “this proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security of the United States by helping to improve the security of a major non-NATO ally that continues to be an important force for political stability and economic progress in North Africa.”
The proposed sale of the missiles and support will increase the Moroccan Air Force’s maritime partnership potential and align its capabilities with existing regional baselines. Morocco intends to use the missiles on its F-16, multi-role fighter aircraft to enhance its capabilities in effective defense of critical sea-lanes, the agency explained, noting that Morocco will have no difficulty absorbing these missiles into its armed forces.
The prime contractor will be The Boeing Company, St. Louis, Missouri. The purchaser typically requests offsets. Any offset agreement will be defined in negotiations between the purchaser and the contractor(s).
Morocco received 62% of its arms purchases between 2014 and 2018 from the US, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI).
In March, the US State Department approved another request from Morocco to purchase 25 armored vehicles from the DSCA, for $240 million.
The 25 armored vehicles (Hercules M88A2) are recovery units for tanks.
