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F-16

Morocco is the 25th nation to order the F-16 – more than 4 500 have been built to date - in fact, the 4,500th F-16 was a Block 52 destined for Morocco. In December 2009 Morocco placed an US$841.9 million contract with Lockheed Martin for 18 single-seat F-16Cs and six two-seat F-16Ds.

"We are modernizing our fleet and we've chosen the F-16, not only because it is a high-quality airplane, but also because of the close relationship we have with the United States," said Deputy Inspector of the Royal Moroccan Air Force, Brigadier General Abdelali Houari.

Moroccan F-16s are based at Ben Guerir Air Base, which is a former US air base located about 36 miles (57 km) north of Marrakech and once used as a transatlantic abort landing site for the Space Shuttle.

Excess defense articles (EDA) are provided at no cost or reduced cost to foreign countries. Each year, the United States supplements the billions of dollars appropriated by Congress for foreign military assistance by furnishing its allies with significant quantities of defense articles declared excess to US needs. Such defense articles include tanks, fighter and cargo aircraft, ammunition, trucks, spare parts, military rations, and clothing. While most transfers of these excess defense articles (EDA) are provided free of charge to eligible countries, some are sold at discounted prices.

In 1992 Morocco accepted 20 F-16&B airframes, although the EDA transfer was later canceled. In fiscal year 1991, Morocco was to receive 20 F-16 airframes as a grant under section 516 of the Foreign Assistance Act free of charge, but it would have had to pay for the engines, the spares parts, and the transportation and training costs. Due to financial difficulties, however, Morocco could not afford to support the airframes and, therefore, the transfer was canceled. Initially, the Air Force had declared the F-16s as excess because it had expected to order 600 newer F-16 models, but due to budget reductions, the Air Force could only order 300 new aircraft. As a result, the once excess airframes were returned to the Air Force’s inventory.

Morocco needed fighter jets in order to equalize a "neighbor" (i.e. Algeria) who was acquiring MiG-29 aircraft. As of 2007 the Royal Moroccan Air Force was considering the purchase of F-16 aircraft, with a formal letter of request for information. The RMAF submitted March 14 a formal Letter of Request for Price and Availability; however, the RMAF informed the US on March 19 that the F-16 inquiry had to be put on hold because there was a resurgence of political pressure from the highest levels to buy the French Rafale. Morocco was still considering the F-16, and had yet to decide which aircraft they would purchase (the RMAF was also looking closely at the French Rafale fighter and the Eurofighter).

The deal could potentially be worth as much as $2 billion. The Moroccan Air Force flew a collection of 40-year old Mirage F-1s and F-5s, which are difficult to maintain. THe US Embassy very aggressively supported the U.S. bidder. At one point this year, when the deal appeared in serious danger because of activities by foreign competitors, the Ambassador successfully intervened with senior Moroccan officials to ensure a level playing field. At the time of the inspection, the next step appeared to be a decision by the king.

On 16 September 2007 Morocco decided to select the F-16 aircraft to upgrade its aging fighter fleet. Out of the five options previously presented to the Moroccan military, the GOM has elected to pursue the purchase of 24 new "block 50" fighters. The source of financing for the purchase was still uncertain. Rumors continued to float regarding potential sponsorship from one of Morocco's Gulf allies, perhaps Saudi Arabia or the United Arab Emirates.

On December 18, 2007 the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress of a possible Foreign Military Sale to Morocco of F-16C/D Block 50/52 aircraft as well as associated equipment and services. The total value, if all options are exercised, could be as high as $2.4 billion. The Government of Morocco has requested a possible sale of 24 F-16C/D Block 50/52 aircraft with either the F100-PW-229 or F110-GE-129 Increased Performance Engines (IPE) and APG-68(V)9 radars.

The proposed sale would contribute to the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States by enhancing Morocco's capacity to support U.S. efforts in the Global War on Terrorism (GWOT), as well as supporting Morocco's legitimate need for its own self-defense. Morocco is one of the most stable and pro-Western of the Arab states, and the U.S. remains committed to a long-term relationship with Morocco. The proposed sale would allow the Moroccan Air Force to modernize its aging fighter inventory, thereby enabling Morocco to support both its own air defense needs and coalition operations.

Morocco is a Major Non-NATO ally. Delivery of this weapon system would greatly enhance Morocco's interoperability with the U.S. and other NATO nations, making it a more valuable partner in an increasingly important area of the world. The country would have no difficulty absorbing this new capability into its armed forces.

In the first aviation trade show of its kind in North Africa, 300 exhibitors from 12 countries gathered for Morocco's inaugural Aeroexpo at the Marrakech airport, 23-25 January 2008. Planned as a biannual event, Aeroexpo Marrakech 2008 showcased Morocco's growing aeronautical industry while attracting major aerospace companies from the U.S. and Europe. Lockheed-Martin was the show's biggest attraction, sponsoring daily F-16 flying demonstrations and exhibiting a panoramic F-16 flight-simulator that appeared to harden the cement on the Moroccan F-16 deal.

In addition to the daily flight displays, Lockheed-Martin performed to two additional demonstrations to private audiences. One was for the Moroccan F-5 fighter pilots who have been designated to transition to the F-16 and the second was for members of the Moroccan Parliament involved in the fighter purchase. Notably absent was Lockheed Martin's chief competitor for the Moroccan fighter sale, Dassault Aviation, maker of the Rafale.

Aeroexpo occurred just a week following the end of Congressional notification by the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) of a possible sale to Morocco of 24 F-16C/D Block 52 fighters, valued at USD 2.4 billion.

On June 6, 2008 the United States government awarded Lockheed Martin an Undefinitized Contract Authorization (UCA) for the production of 24 Advanced F-16 Block 52 aircraft for Morocco, making the Kingdom of Morocco the 25th nation to select the F-16. Morocco would acquire a Block 52 configuration of the F-16C/D aircraft tailored to meet the specific requirements of the Royal Moroccan Air Force (RMAF). The sale will include the aircraft, mission equipment and a support package provided by Lockheed Martin and other U.S. and international contractors. The Pratt & Whitney F100-PW-229 engine was selected by the Royal Moroccan Air Force to power their new fleet of F-16 Block 52 aircraft. The engine program, sold through the U.S. Government's Foreign Military Sales program, is valued at approximately $170 million and is scheduled for delivery in 2010 and 2011.

The new aircraft supplemented the RMAF's existing fleet of fighter aircraft and will contributed to the upgrade and modernization of the RMAF. Lockheed Martin was awarded a contract totaling $233.6 million to begin production of 24 aircraft, along with associated support equipment, alternate mission equipment and other support elements for Morocco. This effort will support the Foreign Military Sales program for Morocco.

The AIM-9X would support the F-16s. The AIM-9X acquisition would complement the 4th generation technology of the F-16, enhance interoperability with USAF systems and further U.S. access to the RMAF. The AIM-9X, when coupled with the Joint Helmet Mounted Cueing System (JHMCS), allows the pilot to engage targets not captured by the aircraft,s radar, but ones that can be visually acquired, i.e., if the pilot sees a target within range, it can be engaged. For full operational capability, the AIM-9X should be integrated in the current production of the RMAF,s F-16 C/D aircraft.

The choice of the AIM-9X is consistent with the other capabilities being procured with the F-16 acquisition. The RMAF has purchased AIM-120C7 missiles, AIM-9M missiles, AGM-88B missiles, JDAM weapons and the Joint Helmet-Mounted Cueing System. The AIM-9X complements this F-16 armament acquisition. The AIM-9X does introduce a new defensive capability when coupled with the JHMCS. The quantity of 20 live missiles and 10 training missiles meets the RMAF,s needs and is not considered excessive, as the number of missiles is consistent with their deterrent posture.

On 09 September 2009 the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) notified Congress of a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Morocco of F-16 C/D Block 50/52 aircraft support equipment and weapons at an estimated cost of $187 million.

The Government of Morocco requested a possible sale of 40 LAU-129A Launchers; 20 AGM-65D MAVERICK Missiles; four AGM-65D MAVERICK Training Missiles; four AGM-65H MAVERICK Training Missiles; 60 Enhanced GBU-12 PAVEWAY II Kits; 28 M61 20mm Vulcan Cannons; 28 AN/ARC-238 Single Channel Ground and Airborne Radios with HAVEQUICK I/II or SATURN I/II. Also included are one Ground Based Simulator, 40 LAU-118A missile rails, six AN/AAQ-33 SNIPER Targeting Pods with Ground Station, 16 Air Combat Maneuvering Instrumentation (ACMI) Pods, four ACMI Ground Stations, eight Joint Mission Planning Systems, two Remote Operated Video Enhanced Receivers, 30 AN/ALR-93 Radar Warning Receivers, 30 AN/AVS-9 Night Vision Goggles, containers, bomb components, support equipment, repair and return, spares and repair parts, publications and technical documentation, personnel training and training equipment, U.S. Government and contractor technical, engineering, and logistics support services, and other related elements of logistics support.

The proposed sale will contribute to the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States by enhancing Morocco’s capacity to support U.S. efforts in the Overseas Contingency Operations, as well as supporting Morocco’s legitimate need for its own self-defense. Morocco is one of the most stable and pro-Western of the Arab states, and the U.S. remains committed to a long-term relationship with Morocco.

The proposed sale will allow the Moroccan Air Force to modernize its aging fighter inventory, thereby enabling Morocco to support both its own air defense needs and coalition operations. Morocco is a Major Non-NATO ally. Delivery of these weapon system will greatly enhance Morocco’s interoperability with the U.S. and other NATO nations, making it a more valuable partner in an increasingly important area of the world.

Lockheed Martin was awarded an $841.9 million contract 22 December 2009 to complete production of 24 new F-16 fighters for Morocco, as well as for electronic-warfare gear and support equipment. The contract builds on an initial $233 million award the company received in June 2008 to begin production of the aircraft. Morocco selected the F-16 in 2007, picking the U.S. aircraft over the Rafale. Morocco is the 25th nation to buy the F-16, the world's most widely flown jet fighter.

On August 4, 2011, Morocco became the 25th nation to receive the F-16 Fighting Falcon, receiving Block 52 F-16 aircraft. Four Royal Moroccan Air Force officers, former F-5 pilots, concluded 15 months of instruction at the 162nd Fighter Wing, the international F-16 training unit at Tucson International Airport. They are the first from their country to accomplish consecutive courses in basic qualification, flight lead upgrade and instructor pilot certification in the multi-role fighter.

Major General Margaret Woodward of the US Air Force at the time told reporters in Marrakech that another seven aircraft would be delivered at the beginning of this year and the remaining 13 in the following months. “The delivery of these aircraft places Morocco among the very elite group of air forces of the world who operate the advanced multirole F-16,” said Ralph D Heath, executive vice president of Lockheed Martin’s Aeronautics business.

The final three of 24 F-16s for the Royal Moroccan Air Force departed Lockheed Martin’s facility in Texas on their way to Morocco August 22nd, 2012. The final F-16 destined for Morocco performed its first flight on March 15 from Naval Air Station Fort Worth Joint Reserve Base and the final the three Block 52 single-seat aircraft left the base on August 22.

Yemen's Houthi rebels said 11 May 2015 they had shot down a Moroccan F-16 warplane taking part in the Saudi-led air campaign targeting them, ahead of a humanitarian cease-fire due to go into effect the next day. Morocco's military said the jet was last seen the evening of 10 May and that a pilot from another jet in the same squadron did not see the pilot eject. The Houthi-run news channel said the plane was shot down by anti-aircraft guns in Saada province, near the Saudi border. Warplanes from a Saudi-led coalition continued to bomb targets in Saada, as well as Taiz in southwestern Yemen and the oil-producing Marib province in the east.

The United States on 25 March 2019 approved the sale of 25 F-16 fighter aircraft to Morocco for $3.8 billion, the State Department announced. Besides the new Block 70/72 F-16s, equipped with state of the art electronic systems and weaponry, Washington also approved the modernization of 23 F-16s already in the Moroccan air force fleet, for $983 million. The Moroccan government made plans to buy F-16 Block 70 Fighting Falcons to reinforce its air fleet in May. The warplanes will be added to Morocco’s current 23 Block fighter planes: 15 F-16C Block 52s and 8 F-16D Block 52s.

The F-16V (Viper) fighter was revealed at Singapore Airshow in February 2012. Lockheed-Martin later exhibited the F-16V at the 2018 Marrakech Airshow. Morocco’s purchase of the Fighting Falcons was concluded in secrecy in late 2017, following a visit by a delegation of the Royal Armed Forces to Washington, DC, with several industrial defense groups.