The Moroccan forces are nearing the acquisition of the HIMARS rocket system after having trained on its use during the recent African Lion exercises, which held their 20th edition this past May in several regions across the Kingdom, including locations in the Sahara.
A report by Defense Web, a publication specializing in arms deals, revealed developments in the HIMARS deal between Morocco and the United States, confirming that the deal is "moving forward." The report notes that the American company Lockheed Martin is manufacturing the system for Morocco.
The report also stated that the U.S. administration approved the deal in April of last year, and this approval has since come into effect at Lockheed Martin. This indicates that Morocco is close to receiving the rocket system, making it the first and only country in North Africa to possess it.
It is worth noting that the Royal Moroccan Armed Forces, in partnership with U.S. forces, conducted extensive training on how to use the HIMARS system in a vast desert area near Cape Draa, coinciding with the last day of the African Lion exercises on May 31.
Acquiring this system will elevate Morocco’s artillery capabilities, placing it among the top 20 artillery forces in the world, according to a report by the American financial and data news site "Insider Monkey" from a few months ago. The report ranked Morocco 20th globally, first in the Maghreb region, and second in Africa.
According to the report, Morocco possesses a total of 1,079 artillery units, including 565 self-propelled artillery units, 306 towed artillery units, and 208 rocket projectors. The Moroccan artillery force has been further strengthened by the HIMARS rocket artillery system following Washington's approval.
The deal included the purchase of 18 M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS), along with 40 Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS), 36 Guided Multiple Launch Rocket Systems (GMLRS), 36 alternative warheads for the GMLRS, and nine High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicles (HMMWVs).
News of the U.S. approval to sell advanced weapons, including the HIMARS system, to Morocco has raised concerns in the region, particularly in Spain. Spanish media reports have highlighted military fears regarding Morocco’s acquisition of these weapons, especially the aforementioned rocket system.
Spain’s "La Razón" newspaper reported that Morocco’s acquisition of the HIMARS rocket system from the United States gives the Kingdom an advantage in this area over Spain, an advantage that is expected to last until 2028, when Spain is set to receive a missile system with similar capabilities to HIMARS.
Additionally, the Spanish newspaper "El Español" reported that Morocco has entered the "club of close allies" of the United States following the Pentagon's approval to sell these weapons to Rabat. These are the same weapons that have yielded significant results for the Ukrainians against the Russians, particularly the HIMARS rocket launchers, which the U.S. had supplied to the Ukrainian army.
