Morocco recently celebrated the purchase of AH-64E Apache helicopters, enhancing its Air Force capabilities and strengthening U.S.-Morocco relations. The U.S. has a longstanding partnership with Morocco, dating back 250 years, which continues to evolve through military cooperation and training initiatives. The Apache helicopters will provide advanced reconnaissance and attack capabilities, solidifying Morocco’s role as a key regional ally in security matters.
On March 5, 2025, Morocco celebrated the purchase of AH-64E Apache helicopters during a ceremony at Sale Air Base, near Rabat. This procurement represents a significant enhancement of the Royal Moroccan Air Force’s capabilities and aligns with both the country’s defense objectives and the foreign policy interests of the United States.
Gen. Michael Langley, Commander of U.S. Africa Command, emphasized the importance of this acquisition, stating, “By purchasing these Apache helicopters, Morocco has made a significant step in investing in their security and in regional security. This investment now puts them in a new level of warfighting capability.”
The AH-64E helicopters were delivered to Morocco from the United States via the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA), as part of a cooperation initiative that commenced in 2020. U.S. Charge d’Affaires Aimee Cutrona remarked, “The United States and Morocco have a long history of partnership reaching back nearly 250 years when Morocco was the first to recognize U.S. independence.” This partnership continues to evolve, strengthening security cooperation in the region.
The Apache helicopters, first developed in 2012, possess advanced features such as improved digital connectivity, enhanced engines, and the capability to control unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). Notably, they can achieve speeds of up to 150 knots and have a range exceeding 450 km. Lt. Col. James Anderson, Chief of the Office of Security Cooperation in Rabat, noted, “The Apache helicopter, especially this model, brings advanced weaponry in reconnaissance and attack, enabling the Royal Moroccan Air Force (RMAF) to better secure their borders to deter and defeat terrorism in the region.”
Moreover, the Utah Army National Guard (UTNG) has developed a partnership with Morocco’s Royal Armed Forces through the Department of Defense’s State Partnership Program. This collaboration fosters enhanced training opportunities, thereby solidifying security ties between the Utah National Guard and Morocco’s military.
Maj. Jared Sorensen, a representative of the UTNG, expressed optimism regarding the upcoming training, stating, “We’re looking forward to taking advantage of more training opportunities together. Being able to fly and train together here will sharpen our skills and make us a more lethal force.”
Training efforts for the RMAF pilots are underway, with 24 pilots currently qualified and five instructor pilots leading the training regimen. The goal is to have the entire squadron operational within six months. Gen. Langley affirmed the importance of the Apache helicopters, saying, “These aircraft give the Royal Moroccan Air Force a lethal tool that will enable them to further our mutual security goals in the region.”
U.S. Africa Command oversees military operations within Africa, aiming to advance American interests and promote security, stability, and prosperity across the continent. This recent helicopter acquisition is a pivotal advancement in the cooperative efforts between Morocco and the United States, signifying a mutual commitment to regional security.
The acquisition of AH-64E Apache helicopters by Morocco represents a major enhancement of the Royal Moroccan Air Force, strengthening its operational capabilities. This partnership underscores the historical ties between the United States and Morocco and reflects a mutual commitment to ensuring regional security and stability. The ongoing training and collaboration between U.S. forces and Moroccan pilots will further solidify these efforts, yielding significant advantages in their respective military operations.
Original Source: www.africom.mil
