Morocco's Royal Armed Forces (FAR) hosted the first planning meeting for African Lion 2027 at the Southern Zone command in Agadir from September 21 to 25. The meeting brought together delegations from Morocco, the US, and other participating countries to lay the groundwork for the multinational exercise. The goal is to strengthen coordination and exchange expertise among participating nations. The delegations are planning the exercise's stages, setting training objectives, and developing operational and logistical concepts for activities across land, air, and maritime domains.
African Lion 2027 will take place from April 25 to May 7, 2027, across several locations in Morocco, including Agadir, Tan-Tan, Guelmim, Benguerir, Kenitra, and Dakhla. The exercise aims to reinforce interoperability and cooperation among participating forces, support operational readiness, and build capacity for joint and integrated operations using modern technologies. These objectives align with regional security and stability efforts. The exercise is a key event in US-Morocco military cooperation, which has been ongoing since 2004.
The planning session follows the 2026 edition of African Lion, which marked a significant shift in the exercise's character. The 2026 edition involved over 5,600 personnel from more than 40 countries, with Morocco hosting around 5,000 participants. The exercise was led by the US Army's Southern European Task Force-Africa (SETAF-AF) alongside the FAR. The 2026 edition featured testing of AI-assisted command, drones, counter-drone systems, and long-range precision weapons.
The 2026 edition of African Lion also included the launch of the first multinational drone academy, training personnel from Morocco, Ghana, Nigeria, and the US. Additionally, US and Moroccan forces conducted the first interoperability test of secure encrypted communications and tactical data links with an African partner nation. However, the exercise was also marked by tragedy, as two US Army soldiers died near the Cap Draa Training Area.
The 2026 exercise was part of a broader US-Morocco defense cooperation effort, following the signing of the 2026-2036 US-Morocco Defense Cooperation Roadmap in Washington. The roadmap sets the terms for the next decade of bilateral defense work. The exercise also fed into the emerging Africa Multidomain Training and Experimentation Center (AMTEC) near Tan-Tan, where US and Moroccan forces continued testing weapons systems into August.
US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth praised Morocco as a key partner, highlighting the historical significance of the relationship between the two countries. Next year's edition of African Lion will carry added weight, as 2027 marks the 250th anniversary of Morocco's recognition of the US. The 1786 Treaty of Peace and Friendship between the two countries remains the oldest unbroken treaty in US history.
The African Lion exercise is a significant event in regional security efforts, with a focus on building capacity and interoperability among participating forces. The exercise is expected to reinforce cooperation and stability in the region, aligning with the objectives of the US-Morocco defense cooperation roadmap. Key aspects of the exercise include its multinational nature, with participation from over 40 countries, and its focus on modern technologies and joint operations.
Key points
- The 2027 exercise will take place from April 25 to May 7, 2027.
- The exercise aims to reinforce interoperability and cooperation among participating forces.
- The 2027 edition marks the 250th anniversary of Morocco's recognition of the US.
