France provides Morocco with new missiles and renews its air forces
29-06-2007

Moroccan newspaper, Al Massa, reported that the Moroccan army will receive from France, this September, a set of missiles ASM 125Kg and 250 Kg, in addition to systems of radar, and another missile system, NICA, for Moroccan planes.

The newspaper indicated that Moroccan military sources asserted that the French army has recently adopted this missile system for its “Mirage 2000” and “Rafale”, which is considered the elite planes in the French air force.

The French companies involved in the renewal of Moroccan air force are Sagem Defence Security, and Thales.

The same source indicated that Morocco and France negotiated for a year to reach agreement according to which the French company “Dassault Aviation” will provide Morocco with 14 plains “Rafale”.

This new armament deal between Morocco and France was preceded by another deal Morocco had with Spain in November 2006.

Spain, according to this agreement, sold to Morocco some 200 millions euros military equipement. Madrid will thus provide Rabat with 1200 armoured field vehicles, “Rebeco-Vamtac”, 800 military trucks and fuel containers, in addition to 16 military zodiacs.

Specialised sources indicated that Spain sold Morocco more than 419 millions euros in 2005, and this cooperation is apparently increasing.