Morocco is set to receive 500 Humvee (HMMWV) military vehicles donated under the Excess Defense Articles (EDA) program, with the US Congress approving a $10 million grant for this purpose at the end of February this year.
This transaction is expected to strengthen the capabilities of the Moroccan Army and its defense across various environments and missions.
HMMWV vehicles are designed to provide excellent mobility in rugged terrain, allowing the Army to deploy rapidly and effectively in different operational areas.
They feature a structure designed to protect the crew from explosions and light arms attacks and can be equipped with additional armor.
HMMWVs offer a robust platform for carrying various types of weaponry, such as heavy machine guns and anti-tank missiles, thereby providing the Moroccan Army mobile firepower to support infantry troops and conduct reconnaissance and security missions.
This grant comes after a significant deal previously approved by the United States, involving Morocco’s purchase of 18 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) launchers with 40 Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) missiles, 36 guided multiple launch rocket systems, and 36 alternative warheads for Guided Multiple Launch Rocket Systems (GMLRS), as well as nine highly mobile multipurpose wheeled vehicles (HMMWVs).
For context, Morocco has been benefiting from the US EDA program, receiving equipment with $478 million since 2013. The kingdom is the second-largest global beneficiary of the EDA program, trailing behind Israel.
In 2016, it received 600 M113-A3 armored personnel carriers valued at over $24 million, along with 24,000 M-16 assault rifles.
In 2019, it was 100 medium and light tactical transport trucks of the M1078, M1083, and M1084 models, as well as two C-130H transport planes.
Morocco and the United States are tied by a military-strategic partnership that stretches to 2030.
Both countries are striving to strengthen their military collaboration and enhance their mutual intervention capabilities through knowledge exchange and joint military exercises like Africa’s largest annual exercise, African Lion, as well as several other scattered annual drills.
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