The North African country held a ribbon-cutting ceremony on October 26 to mark the delivery of the attack helicopters.
The Royal Moroccan Air Force received six Boeing AH-64E Apache attack helicopters, bringing the country’s total to 19.
Morocco, which has been taking delivery of US-made defense hardware, had ordered 24 AH-64E Apaches.
The deliveries, which faced delays in 2024, began coming in by March 2025, when the Royal Moroccan Air Force received the first batch.
During the recent ceremony to receive the helicopters, which was held at the 1st BAFRA (1ère Base Aérienne des Forces Royales Air), Major General Matthew W. Brown, commanding general of US Army Southern European Task Force SETAF-AF), led the event alongside other senior leaders of the Royal Moroccan Armed Forces.
“This ceremony marks a consequential moment made possible by Morocco’s commitment to its own defense capabilities and the broader security of the region,” he stated.
“The aircraft before us is the most capable attack and reconnaissance helicopter in the world,” the Major General added.
He further stated that the Apache will help the US and Morocco work more closely together under a 10-year defense plan signed at the Pentagon in April.
The Major General disclosed that pilots and ground troops from both countries will also use the aircraft during future African Lion exercises, giving them a chance to train side by side.
“Integrating these platforms into the continent’s premier joint exercise will directly increase our combined readiness, making our forces stronger and more capable of operating and fighting alongside each other,” Brown added.
As seen on DefenseWeb, Brown stated that Morocco’s leadership in regional security is “vital and deeply valued by the United States of America” and that the ribbon-cutting “clearly showcases the strength of our alliance.”
“We look forward to the continued growth of this historic alliance as we strive for a future of shared security, stability, and regional peace,” he added.
The US and Morocco
Since 1786, Morocco and the United States have adhered to a Treaty of Peace and Friendship, which the US State Department describes as the longest unbroken treaty relationship in American history.
Additionally, Morocco became the first country in the world to recognise the independence of the United States in 1777.
Currently, Morocco and Egypt are the only two African countries to utilize the US-made Apache, the only attack helicopter Morocco could boast of prior to the first delivery of the aircraft.
Furthermore, Morocco is the only African country to operate the US’s AH-64E Apaches.
Prior to the delivery of the Apache aircraft, the Moroccan military relied solely on twenty-four Gazelles operated jointly by Army Aviation and the Royal Moroccan Air Force.
Source: africa.businessinsider.com
