The Royal Moroccan Armed Forces’ acquisition of ATACMS surface-to-surface missiles signifies a strategic shift in Rabat’s missile procurement strategy, transitioning from traditional reliance on both American and Chinese markets.
According to a report from Sofrep, a platform specializing in military affairs, the ATACMS deal represents a departure from Morocco’s historical preference for Chinese-made missiles, potentially reshaping regional military dynamics.
The Pentagon has not disclosed the precise number of ATACMS missiles included in the contract, but the report noted the significance of the $227 million agreement announced on July 2, underscoring Morocco’s shift away from Chinese weaponry.
The report also highlighted Morocco’s inclusion alongside Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Poland in the deal, suggesting a broader strategic move by Washington to bolster alliances in North Africa and Eastern Europe.
Lockheed Martin was awarded the contract by the U.S. Department of Defense on July 2 to produce and supply ATACMS tactical missiles for Morocco under the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program for fiscal year 2024. The delivery is expected to be completed by 2028.
The guided ATACMS missiles operate within a surface-to-surface system and are typically launched from rocket systems such as the HIMARS, which Morocco was approved to acquire last year.
While specific details about Morocco’s Chinese missile inventory remain undisclosed, reports have indicated the Royal Moroccan Armed Forces possess Chinese-made systems, including the HJ-9A3 missile and WS-2D rocket launcher acquired in 2018. Additionally, Morocco procured the FD-2000B Chinese air defense system in 2021.
Morocco’s interest in further Chinese missile acquisitions was evident in negotiations with CASIC in 2022, although outcomes remain pending, per the Technical Report platform.
The ATACMS acquisition follows the U.S. State Department’s 2023 approval to equip Morocco with HIMARS systems, which included a request for “40 units of long-range ATACMS missiles.”
Security expert Abdelrahman Mekkaoui highlighted the significance of Morocco’s shift towards American missiles, describing it as a divergence from its historical reliance on cost-effective and effective Chinese weaponry.
Mekkaoui, speaking to Hespress AR, noted Morocco’s strategic aim to diversify its military partnerships, citing historical ties with China for bolstering its missile arsenal. However, he emphasized that recent diplomatic developments, including the Abraham Accords, have prompted Rabat’s pivot towards American arms.
“The rapprochement between Rabat and Washington,” Mekkaoui concluded, “has played a pivotal role in Morocco’s strategic recalibration towards American missiles.”
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