Marrakech – The US Department of War has identified Morocco as one of eight countries set to benefit from radar component repair and support services under a substantial new contract awarded to Northrop Grumman Systems Corp. The announcement, made on November 13, pertains to a $303.6 million agreement that designates Morocco alongside Bahrain, Bulgaria, Greece, Korea, Slovakia, Taiwan, and Jordan for Foreign Military Sales support related to F-16 radar systems.
This contract will see operations conducted at Northrop Grumman’s facility in Linthicum Heights, Maryland, with a focus on repair and return services for F-16 radar components specific to foreign military sales countries. An initial funding amount of $2.7 million has already been allocated as part of the contract, managed by the Air Force Lifecycle Management Center based at Hill Air Force Base in Utah.
Morocco’s inclusion in this contract underscores its escalating role within the F-16 ecosystem. The country has already placed an order for 24 F-16 Viper aircraft—the latest variant of Lockheed Martin’s fighter jet—with deliveries indicated to occur before 2026. In addition, Morocco is in the process of upgrading its existing fleet of F-16s to Viper standards, which will enhance its air capabilities significantly.
These advanced aircraft will incorporate the state-of-the-art AN/APG-83 AESA radar systems, known for their robust electronic jamming resistance, along with Viper Shield electronic warfare systems developed by L3Harris Technologies. The support contract is vital in ensuring the operational readiness of Morocco’s burgeoning F-16 fleet.
This development is part of Morocco’s broader strategy to deepen ties with US defense supply chains. Earlier in May, the US State Department granted Morocco authorization to obtain F-16 manufacturing technology transfer valued at more than $50 million. This move paves the way for Morocco to manufacture critical components for the F-16V “Viper” variant.
Morocco’s defense cooperation with Lockheed Martin has been longstanding, dating back to 1974 with the delivery of C-130H aircraft to the Royal Moroccan Air Force. The partnership has since broadened to encompass F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft, Sikorsky helicopters, and advanced radar systems.
The country is also making strides in developing its domestic maintenance capabilities. Maintenance Aero Maroc (MAM) recently commenced the construction of an 8,000-square-meter hangar at Benslimane Airport, aimed at overseeing heavy maintenance operations for C-130 and F-16 aircraft. This endeavor, a collaboration among Moroccan, Belgian, and American partners, is anticipated to be operational by late 2026.
Looking ahead, Morocco’s defense budget for 2026 is set to reach MAD 73 billion (approximately $7.3 billion), accounting for 4% of the GDP and reflecting a MAD 3.3 billion ($330 million) increase from the previous year. Defense Minister Abdeltif Loudyi confirmed that this budget will support personnel expansion, military investments, and industrial development initiatives across all branches of the armed forces.
The radar support contract further solidifies Morocco’s status as a key US partner in North Africa and highlights its growing involvement in regional defense cooperation efforts. Additionally, recent visits by US Africa Command’s General Dagvin Anderson have reinforced the nearly 250-year partnership between the US and Morocco, fostering continued collaboration on security initiatives across the African continent. This evolving relationship is poised to enhance not only Morocco’s military capabilities but also regional stability.