The U.S. has approved a potential sale of attack helicopters to Morocco.
On November 20, 2019, the U.S. State Department announced via the DSCA that it had approved a potential foreign military sale to Morocco covering the purchase of 36 AH-64E Apache attack helicopters, as well as related equipment. The total value of the sale, if concluded, is estimated at $4.25 billion. The DSCA delivered a notification of the approved sale to the U.S. Congress on November 19.
According to a press release, Morocco requested the purchase of 36 AH-64s (24 new, 12 optional). Furthermore, the country is seeking 79 T700-GE-701D engines (72 of which will be installed plus spares); 36 AN/ASQ-170 Modernized Target Acquisition and Designation Sight/AN/AAR-11 Modernized Pilot Night Vision Sensors; 18 AN/APG-78 Fire Control Radars; 18 AN/APR-48B Modernized – Radar Frequency Interferometers; 551 AGM-114R Hellfire missiles (441 of which are new while the remaining 110 are optional); 60 AGM-114L missiles; 72 M36E9 Hellfire Captive Air Training Missile; 588 Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System kits (478 installed, 110 optional); and 200 AIM-92H Stinger missiles.
The Moroccan government also requested the sale of radar signal detecting sets, missile warning systems, ground systems, machine guns, and 2.75-inch rockets, among other hardware for the helicopters.
The press release noted, “The proposed sale will improve Morocco’s capability to meet current and future threats and will enhance interoperability with U.S. forces and other allied forces. Morocco will use the enhanced capability to strengthen its homeland defense and provide close air support to its forces.”
Approval of the sale does not mean a deal has been concluded. The Congress will have a window to review the sale, after which Morocco will be able to move forward with a contract if it chooses.
Military markets analyst, covering Eurasia, Middle East, and Africa.
