Morocco in talks to acquire first submarines amid regional naval competition

Morocco is engaged in negotiations to acquire its first military submarines as part of a broader strategy to bolster maritime defense across the Atlantic and Mediterranean, according to a recent report by Global Defense News.

The move aims to protect the kingdom’s exclusive economic zone, estimated at 81,000 square nautical miles, and to strengthen naval capabilities in a region marked by rivalry with Algeria and mounting security challenges in the Western Mediterranean and the Strait of Gibraltar.

French shipbuilder Naval Group has emerged as a leading contender, offering Scorpène-class diesel-electric submarines alongside a proposal to establish a shipbuilding facility in Casablanca. The offer builds on prior cooperation, notably the delivery of the frigate Mohammed VI in 2014.

Germany’s ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems has also submitted options, including Dolphin AIP submarines with fuel-cell propulsion and HDW 209-1400 models. Russia has revived interest with its Amur-1650 class, while Greece and Portugal have offered second-hand German Type 214 units.

The French Scorpène submarines weigh between 1,600 and 2,000 tons, carry six 533 mm torpedo tubes, and can deploy up to 18 weapons, including anti-ship missiles, with certain variants equipped with air-independent propulsion for extended submersion.

The German Dolphin AIP model displaces 2,050 tons, measures 68 meters, and enables long-duration stealth missions, while the Russian Amur-1650 reaches 20 knots with a 45-day endurance and a crew of 18.

Analysts note Morocco would need at least two to three submarines to establish credible deterrence, as Algeria already operates Kilo-class submarines armed with Kalibr missiles with a range of 2,400 kilometers.

Spain fields one Agosta-class submarine pending delivery of four new units, while France operates ten nuclear submarines, including four equipped with ballistic missiles.

The report highlights that Morocco’s naval buildup coincides with parallel modernization in its air and land forces. Earlier this month, Rabat signed a deal with Airbus for 10 Caracal helicopters to replace an aging fleet averaging 47 years.

The Royal Navy, currently ranked 25th worldwide with 121 vessels including six frigates, is also exploring drones, unmanned ships, and maritime patrol aircraft. Morocco’s 2025 defense budget stands at an estimated $13 billion, with experts emphasizing the acquisitions as defensive modernization to safeguard sovereignty and national waters.