Morocco Pursues F-35 Acquisition Amid North African Defense Realignments

Edited by: Fatimatou babdin

Morocco is advancing its plan to acquire 32 Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II fighter jets, a move that would make it the first Arab and African country to operate a fifth-generation stealth platform. With Israel’s approval secured, the deal potentially valued at $17 billion over 45 years would include procurement, maintenance, and long-term support. This initiative complements Morocco’s broader air force modernization, including the 2020 approval of 24 F-16C/D Block 72 Vipers and upgrades to existing F-16s with advanced radar, targeting, and electronic warfare systems. Integrating the F-35 is expected to enhance operational readiness, leveraging NATO-standard training protocols and shared expertise to achieve cohesive and technologically advanced capabilities by around 2035.

The potential acquisition has drawn attention across the region, particularly from Algeria, which is set to introduce Russia’s Sukhoi Su-57 Felon alongside its Su-30MKA fleet, illustrating differing procurement strategies and geopolitical alignments in North Africa. While Morocco strengthens its military and diplomatic ties with the United States and Israel, Algeria maintains its longstanding partnership with Russia. Observing these developments, Egypt is also exploring Chinese alternatives, including the J-10C and J-31, as part of its strategy to modernize its air force and maintain a balance of capabilities in the region, reflecting broader patterns of diversification and strategic hedging among North African states.

These developments highlight the evolving balance of power in North Africa, where advanced aerial capabilities are influencing defense planning, procurement strategies, and regional military preparedness. Morocco’s potential integration of the F-35 demonstrates how technological advancements, strategic partnerships, and military ambitions intersect, signaling a significant phase in the modernization of key regional armed forces.