The United States and Morocco marked the delivery of six AH-64E Apache attack helicopters to the Royal Moroccan Air Force (RMAF) during a ceremony at the 1st Air Base (BAFRA) in Sale on Monday. The ceremony was co-chaired by General Mohammed Berrid, Inspector General of the FAR and Commander of the Southern Zone, and US Army Maj. Gen. Matthew W. Brown, commanding general of the US Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF). Senior officials from the Royal Moroccan Armed Forces also attended the event.
Before the ceremony, Berrid and Brown held a working meeting with a US delegation to discuss strengthening bilateral military cooperation and further developing the strategic defense partnership between Morocco and the United States. The delivery marked another step in Morocco's ongoing efforts to modernize its military capabilities and improve operational readiness. The six helicopters represent the third batch of AH-64E Apaches delivered to Morocco.
Morocco is one of only two African countries operating Apache helicopters and the only one on the continent to operate the AH-64E variant. The AH-64E Apache is designed for attack and reconnaissance missions to support ground forces and provide battlefield awareness. The helicopters were acquired under a foreign military sales agreement worth nearly $1.3 billion.
The delivery comes as Morocco continues to modernize its armed forces and expand military cooperation with the United States. The Apache helicopter program forms part of broader defense ties between Morocco and the United States, which cooperate on military training, equipment, and regional security. The two countries signed the 2026-2036 Defense Cooperation Roadmap in April.
US and Moroccan pilots and ground forces will train together using the aircraft during future editions of African Lion, a major annual multinational military exercise held in Africa. Brown described the delivery as an important step in strengthening Morocco's defense capabilities and regional security. He noted that integrating these platforms into the continent's premier joint exercise will directly increase combined readiness.
The 2026-2036 Defense Cooperation Roadmap sets out priorities for the military partnership between Morocco and the United States over the next decade. Morocco regularly participates in African Lion, which brings together US, Moroccan, and other international forces for joint training. The exercise focuses on improving coordination, readiness, and the ability to respond to regional security challenges.
Morocco and the United States also share a long diplomatic history, with Morocco recognizing the United States in 1777, becoming the first country to do so. The two countries maintain the longest-standing treaty relationship in US history. With the addition of the six new helicopters, Morocco's total Apache fleet now stands at 19 out of 24 planned.
Key points
- Morocco receives six more AH-64E Apache attack helicopters from the US, bringing its total fleet to 19 out of 24 planned.
- The delivery strengthens Morocco's defense capabilities and regional security, and supports the 2026-2036 Defense Cooperation Roadmap between Morocco and the US.
- Morocco is one of only two African countries operating Apache helicopters and the only one on the continent to operate the AH-64E variant.
