Morocco is poised to become the first country in the MENA region, after Israel, to acquire the fifth-generation F-35 fighter jet, following a recent military delegation visit to the IDEX Defense and Security Exhibition in the UAE, where they advanced a bid that began five years ago.
Despite Washington’s policy of limiting F-35 ownership to Israel within the Middle East, the potential acquisition is supported by both U.S. and Israeli officials, according to analysts at Aviation Week Network.
Defence Minister Abdel Latif Louardir recently met with F-35 maker, Lockheed Martin officials during the 17th International Defense Exhibition (IDEX 2025) in the UAE.
During the event, the American company provided a comprehensive presentation on the performance and advanced technologies of the F-35, giving Moroccan military officials detailed insights into its capabilities.
This step comes as part of the growing military cooperation between the U.S. and Morocco, as confirmed by General Charles Brown in a phone call with Moroccan military chief Mohamed Berrid on February 11.
The F-35 attack fighters are equipped with a package of technological devices that make them more powerful than any combat aircraft throughout history, with a maximum speed of 1930 kilometers per hour, which is faster than sound, allowing it to avoid detection by military radars.
While Israel will operate 100 F-35Is by 2035, maintaining its qualitative edge through more advanced upgrades, Morocco is set to field a larger fleet of Lockheed Martin’s fifth-generation F-35 fighters than countries like Spain, Portugal, Singapore, Romania, Czech Republic, Greece, or Denmark, according to Aviation Week Network.
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