Royal Moroccan Armed Forces

56883

Royal Moroccan Armed Forces

1. Order of battle
2. Overview
3. Defence economics
4. State of military forces
5. Country threat reports
6. Major external deployments

1. Order of Battle

Total force strength  

Army: 175 000 (150 000 Reserve)

Air Force: 13 500

Navy: 10 000 (includes 2 000 Marines and Coast Guards)

Auxiliary Force: 25 000

Royal Gendarmerie: 20 000

Mobile Intervention Corps: 5 000

Army
Main Battle Tanks  

222: M-1A1SA Abrams (second hand; modernized)

164: M-1A1SA Abrams (for delivery)

225: M48A5 (stored as reserve)

167: M60A3

260: M60A3TTS

136: T-72B (second hand; modernized)

12: T-72BK

150: VT-1A Al Khalid

Light tank 109: SK-105 Kuerassier (stored as reserve)
Reconnaissance/LAV  

140: AML-90

20: AML-90 Lynx

16: EBR-75

60: Eland 20/90

APC  

420: M113A1

13: M113A1-B

330: M113A2

419: M113A3

54: M-3 VTT

55: UR-416

75: VAB VCI

320: VAB VTT

36: Sherpa (Light Scout and APC)

IFV  

19: AIFV-B-.50

1: AIFV-B-CP

90: AIFV-B-C25

10: AMX-10P

30: Mk III Ratel-20

30: Mk III Ratel-90

Tank destroyer  

108: AMX-10RC

23: M901A1

8: SU-100

MRAP ?: Cougar HE
ARV  

55: M-88

20: M-88A1

60: M-578

10: SB Greif

20: VAB-ECH

Utility vehicles  

2000+: HMMWV (comprised of: TOW Armored ATGM, M998 cargo/troop carrier, M1025 Armored, Armament Carrier, M1037 S-250 Shelter Carrier, M1038 Cargo/Troop Carrier W/W, M1046 TOW Up-Armored Armor W/W, M1097 Heavy Van, M1113 Expanded Capacity, M1151 Enhanced Armament Carrier, M1152 Enhanced Troop/Cargo/Shelter Carrier)

1200: URO VAMTAC

800: URO VAM-TL

21: Toyota Land Cruiser

 

 

Military Logistics

 

250: IVECO M3-21.14 TT

100: IVECO Tractor

+/- 3500: M35 Series

387: M54 Series

+/- 1000: M800 Series

195: M816 Wrecker

+/- 160: M900 Series

+/- 1000: TRM10000

600: ACMAT VLRA

?: Pegaso 3055

?: Mercedes-Benz Actros

?: M746

6: M747

2: M1075 Palletized load systems

2: M1076 Palletized load systems

23: M1070

133: M911 HETS

 

Self-propelled artillery

 

70: M109A1 155 mm

36: M109A1B 155 mm

46: M109A2 155 mm

12: M109A3 (converted M109A1) 155 mm

40: M-109L47 155 mm

5: M109A4 155 mm

130: M109A5 155 mm

92: AMX Mk F3 155 mm

60: M110 203 mm

?: 2S19M1 MSTA-S

Towed artillery  

36: L118 Light Gun 105 mm

30: M101A1 105 mm

18: M46 130mm

30: FH70 155 mm

20: M114 155 mm

35: M198 155 mm

18: M1950 155 mm

Multiple Rocket Launcher  

35: BM-21 122 mm

+/-12: AR-2/PHL-03 300 mm

+/-36: WS-2D 400 mm

Mortar carrier  

36: M106A2 107 mm M30 mortar

20: M125A1 81mm M29 mortar

12: VAB-VTM 120 mm Thomson-Brandt mortar

91: M1064 120mm M120 mortar (unconfirmed)

35: AML-60 60 mm breach loading mortar

 

Anti-tank missile

 

Red Arrow-8

MILAN

HOT (For SA-342L helicopters)

HOT-2 (For with light vehicle-mounted HOT Commando launchers)

9M113 Konkurs/AT-5

Kornet/AT-14

BGM-71C ITOW (70 launchers in service)

BGM-71 TOW-2A

BGM-71 TOW-2A-RF (another 800 on order)

FGM-77 Dragon (450 launchers)

9M14 Malyutka

Unguided anti-tank weapon  

RPG-7V

Type-69

APILAS

M72 LAW

HJ-8L

Recoilless rifle  

350: M40A1 106 mm

200: M20 89 mm

?: SPG-9 73 mm

Anti-air missile  

25: ASTER-15 SAAM

40: Aspide

37: M48 Chaparral

108: MIM-23 Hawk

9K32 Strela-2 (SA-7 Grail)

Crotale

Anti-air system and gun  

+/- 110: M163 Vulcan Air Defense System

12: 2K22 Tunguska

72: MIM-72C/E Chaparral

36: MIM-23 HAWK XXI

6: Sky Shield AD

?: Type 390 (DK-9) SHORAD

+/- 90: ZSU-23-4

+/- 90: ZU-23-2

100: Type 90

VL MICA air defence systems (truck-mounted elements, tactical operations centre, Sagem SIGMA 30 radar and launcher vehicles)

Army aviation  

4: Alouette II

3: Gazelle

6: A109

Structure  

2 regional commands (Northern and Southern HQ)

10 independent armoured battalions

3 mechanised infantry brigades

8 independent mechanised infantry brigades

6 light infantry brigades

3 independent camel corps battalions

13 independent artillery battalions

2 independent cavalry battalions

2 paratroop brigades

1 independent mountain battalion

4 Commando battalions

Air Force
Combat aircraft  

3: F-5B (one in storage)

23: F-5E Tiger II (one in storage)

24: F-16C/D Block 72 (on order)

15: F-16C-52 Fighting Falcon

11: Mirage F1CH

3: Mirage F1CM-VI

11: Mirage F1EH

7: Mirage F1EH-VI

Electronic warfare  

1: EC-130H

1: Falcon 20C

1: Falcon 20ECM

Tanker/refueling aircraft 2: KC-130H
Trainer aircraft  

5: AB206B

22: Alpha Jet H

4: F-5F Tiger II

8: F-16D Fighting Falcon

Firefighting aircraft  

2: Bombardier CL-415

3: Bombardier CL-415MP

Transport aircraft  

14: C-130H

4: C-27J Spartan

7: CN235M-100

3: Ce560XLS+

2: Ce560

 

VIP aircraft

 

1: AW139

1: Boeing 737-BBJ2

4: Beechcraft King Air A100

2: Beechcraft Super King Air B200

1: Beechcraft Super King Air B200C

2: Beechcraft Super King Air 300

2: Beechcraft Super King Air 350

2: Beechcraft Super King Air 350ER (on order) (maritime surveillance)

2: G-II

1: G-III

1: G-V

2: G550

Transport and utility helicopter  

10: AB205A

3: AB205A-1

1: AB206A

9: AB206B

2: AB212

3: CH-47D

6: SA330L

14: SA330F

Attack helicopter  

24: AH-64E (on order, option for another 12)

18: SA342L

UAV  

4: Predator-A

3: IAI Heron

Royal Gendarmerie  

1: AS332L2

2: AS355F1

13: BN-2T (maritime patrol aircraft) (operated by Royal Moroccan Air Force)

3: EC135T2i

6: EC145

1: EC225

1: S2R-T660

2: SA315B

1: SA316B

6: SA330L

3: SA342K

6: SA342L

2: S-70A-25

8: Titan Tornado II

Navy
Frigates:

Aquitaine Class (FREMM):

 

  • Flóreal Class (FFGHM):

 

 

  • Sigma Class (FMMM):

 

 

 

 

Mohammed VI (2014) (optimized for anti-submarine warfare)

 

Mohammed V (2002)

Hassan II (2003)

 

Tarik Ben Ziyad (10513 version) (2011)

Sultan Moulay Ismail (9813 version/multi-mission) (2012)

Allal Ben Abdellah (9813 version/multi-mission) (2012)

Corvettes:

  • Descubierta Class:
 

Lieutenant-Colonel Errahmani (updated in 2014)

 

 

Offshore Patrol Vessels:

 

  • Lazaga Class:

El Khattabi (1981)

Commandant Boutouba (1981)

Commandant El Harty (1982)

Commandant Azouggarh (1982)

  • Raïs Bargach Class (OPV-64):

Raïs Bargach (1995)

Raïs Britel (1996)

Raïs Charkaoui (1996)

Raïs Maaninou (1997)

Raïs Al Mounastiri (1997)

  • Bir Anzarane Class (OPV-70):

Bir Anzaran (2011) (another 3 under construction)

  • El Lahiq Class (Osprey 55):

El Lahiq (1987)

El Tawfiq (1988)

El Hamiss (1990)

El Karib (1990)

  • Vigilance Class:

Lieutenant De Vaisseau Rabhi (1988)

Errachiq (1988)

El Akid (1989)

El Maher (1989)

El Majid (1989)

El Bachir (1989)

  • Okba class (PR-72):

Okba (1976)

Triki (1977)

  • Damen Inteceptor 1503:

(5 under construction)

  • Avante class (OPV-1400):

On order from Navantia

Amphibious and auxiliary vessels:

  • BATRAL-class Landing Ships:

 

 

 

  • Ad-Dakhla-class Cargo ship:

 

  • Stan Tender 1504  Hydrographic Research Boat:

 

  • Batiment Base Plongeures 803:

 

  • Damen Stan Tug 2208

 

  • Newport class Tank Landing Ship:

 

  • 72m-hydro-oceanographic & multi-mission vessel:

 

 

 

 

  • Marrakech transport ship:

 

 

 

Doud Ben Aicha (1977)

Ahmed Es Sakali (1977)

Abou Abdallah El Ayachi (1977)

 

 

Ad-Dakhla (1997)

 

 

H-01(used to chart the underwater coastal area)

 

 

Unknown (used as submarine trainer ship)

 

1

 

Al Mounkid (2015)

 

 

 

Sidi Mohammed Ben Abdallah (1971)

 

 

 

Dar Al Beida (2018)

Ro-ro

Inshore patrol vessels:  

10: P-32

10: VCSM/RPB 20

9: Rodman 101

10: Rodman 55

10: Arcor-17

18: Arcor-46 (in service with Moroccan Customs)

15: Arcor-53 (in service with Royal Moroccan Gendarmerie)

Helicopters:  

3: AS565MB (Naval Military utility)

2: Bell 412Epi (on order) (Anti-submarine)

Structure:

 

Naval bases:

 

Ship maintenance and repair facilities:

 

Naval infantry battalion:

 

 

Agadir, Casablanca, Dakhla, al-Hoceima, Ksar Sghir, Kenitra, Safi, Tangier, Tantan

 

156 meter dry-dock at Casablanca, repair ships of up to 10 000 dwt; facility for minor repairs at Agadir

2

  1. Overview

Head of State and Government: Saadeddine Othmani

Defence Minister: Abdellatif Loudiyi

Chief of Staff: Mohammed VI

Inspector General of the Armed Forces: Abdelfattah Lourak

Chief of Staff of Air Defences: General Abdelaziz Bennani

Commander of the Air Force: General El Abed Alaoui Bouhamid

Inspector General of the Navy: Vice-Admiral Mostapha El Alami

Member of: UN, AU, LAS, Arab Maghreb Union, AfDB, G77, Arab League, the Francophonie, Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, Mediterranean Dialogue group, ICAO, Seabeds Committee and major non-NATO ally of the United States.

 

  1. Defence economics

Military expenditure (ME) from 2010 to 2019 in USD billion:

2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019
ME 3.161 3.343 3.403 4.066 4.049 3.268 3.367 3.461 3.697 3.721

 

Military expenditure (ME) as percentage of GDP (2010-2019) in USD billion:

2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019
GDP in USD billion 93.22 101.4 98.27 106.8 110.1 101.2 103.3 109.7 118.1 119.7
ME in USD billion 3.161 3.343 3.403 4.066 4.049 3.268 3.367 3.461 3.697 3.721
ME% of GDP 3.39 3.3 3.46 3.81 3.68 3.23 3.22 3.19 3.13 3.09

 

Military expenditure (ME) growth as percentage from 2010-2019:

2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019
ME% Growth 3.47 5.76 1.78 19.49 -0.42 -19.29 1.81 4.03 6.82 0.65

 

  1. State of military forces

Morocco’s army is very well equipped and trained and has had intensive experience in desert fighting due to the country’s counter-insurgency operations in the Western Sahara. The military also maintains a strong relationship with both the United States of America and France. Having one of the biggest armies in Africa makes Morocco a military heavyweight on the continent, something it deems necessary to counter its rival and neighbour Algeria, which has an even larger military.

The ongoing conflict in the Western Sahara between Morocco and the Polisario Front (PF) has often brought the Moroccan military into controversy, especially over suspected human rights abuses against Sahrawi civilians. The military also continues to battle problems with corruption and poorly educated soldiers and faces an inefficient bureaucracy. The lack of a Ministry of Defence as such (the armed forces are administered by the Office of the Prime Minister through a Minister Delegate) has also hampered the military.

Although the country’s air force is dated, some modern aircraft have been acquired, such as a shipment of F-16s which arrived in 2012 as part of a larger package. However, the majority of the country’s aircraft were bought in the 1980s and will have to be replaced in the future. Morocco’s navy is also aging and is proving incapable of countering the increase in smuggling across the Mediterranean, although the navy has been boosted by the recent acquisition of corvettes and frigates.

The government has announced an intention to significantly increase defence spending at an annual growth rate of 4.4% between 2014 and 2018. Equipment purchases are expected to focus on fighter aircraft acquisition along with submarines and patrol boats. The majority of this is expected to be done with the USA and other NATO countries as Morocco has no local defence industry of its own.

 

  1. Country threat report
Threat type Overview
External • Morocco is currently facing no external security threat.
Internal • Morocco is currently facing internal security threats presented he Polisario Front (PF) which controls 25% of the territory in Western Sahara.
• Morocco also faces a limited threat from the rise of Islamic fundamentalism and a rise in domestic terrorism.
Regional • Morocco faces no significant regional threats although rivalry continues with neighbouring Algeria.
Political • Morocco has managed to maintain a strong level of political stability despite the spread of the Arab Spring and pro-democracy movements in the region.
Economic • Morocco’s economy is largely driven by agriculture, phosphates and tourism. The country does suffer economically as it has to import fuel.

 

  1. Major external deployments
Operation Country Personnel/Assests
MONUSCO Democratic Republic of Congo  

Troops: 924

Staff Officer: 8

Experts: 3

MINUSCA Central African Republic  

Troops: 750

Staff Officer: 19

UNMISS South Sudan Experts: 2

 

Contact

National Defence Administration

6Bis, Rue Patrice Lumumba

Rabat

Morocco

Tel +212 762 731/60150/60805