U.S. and Morocco still negotiating F-35 deal, regional game-changer

The United States and Morocco are still negotiating the sale of F-35 lightning II stealth fighters, according to Africa Intelligence news platform.

The deal estimated at $17 billion for 32 aircraft package comes amid Algeria’s acquisition of Russian Su-57 Felon fighters. The military deal, which includes training, and long-term maintenance, will enable Morocco to maintain its regional airpower superiority and strengthen its deterrence capabilities.

The F-35 jets, manufactured by Lockheed Martin, are at the top of modern aviation engineering, blending stealth, versatility, and cutting-edge avionics into a family of multirole fighters suited for air dominance, ground attacks, and reconnaissance

According to intelligence reports, the US-Moroccan talks have extended beyond military procurement to include possible Boeing commercial aircraft sales, illustrating a broader aerospace negotiation.

Should the agreement be concluded, Morocco would become the first Arab and African country to operate fifth-generation aircraft, integrating low-observability and sensor-fusion capabilities into its Royal Moroccan Air Force. The F-35 was displayed during the 2024 Marrakech Air Show, confirming the depth of Moroccan-American defense cooperation.

The planned acquisition would position Morocco more firmly within the Western defense network while aligning its air-power architecture with NATO standards for interoperability and joint operations.