₦airaland Forum

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Lurker4Long:
Jimmy Carter, who died at 100 years old today, was an ally of the peoples of Southern Africa against their racist oppressors, as well as the poor and suffering worldwide, whether in Africa or Palestine. He was keenly aware of the limitations of the American political system and the challenges of enacting meaningful change within it.

In its obituary, Mondoweiss noted that Carter is fondly remembered by many on the left, and for good reason. "In many areas, he tried to govern with humanity, decency, and a deep regard for people’s rights. While he was not always successful—whether due to his own shortcomings or the constraints of the system—Carter is notable for bringing principles of human rights into his policy thinking more than any other U.S. president in living memory, and quite possibly in all of American history."

On Southern Africa, the administrations of Nixon, Ford, and Reagan were all staunch supporters of apartheid and white minority rule. Chester Crocker, the Reagan administration's highest-ranking official on African affairs, infamously remarked, “All Reagan knows about Southern Africa is that he is on the side of the whites.” Reagan was caught on tape telling a laughing Nixon that Africans are "monkeys."

In stark contrast, Carter took significant steps to challenge apartheid and side with African liberation movements. He reinstated an economic boycott of Rhodesia, and pressured Ian Smith to hold democratic elections in 1979 and negotiate with the black majority. These efforts ultimately contributed to the creation of Zimbabwe. He also backed UN Resolution 418, which imposed an arms embargo on apartheid South Africa. Finally, working with Howard Wolpe, he called for transparency in the dealings of US intelligence services.
RIP.

The last Republican/Conservative president who was decent.

GreenandGold:
The last Republican/Conservative president who was decent.

Carter was a Democrat. The last decent Rep pres was Bush senior. Not a coincidence that both men only had 1 term.

Lurker4Long:
Carter was a Democrat. The last decent Rep pres was Bush senior. Not a coincidence that both men only had 1 term.

Oh, that explains a lot....a Republican would never serve humanity, NEVER.

https://www.geopolitical.report/boko-haram-terrorists-attack-nigerian-fob-in-sabon-gari/
TWO HOURS ATTACK!!!!
Are u kidding me
Does the Nigerian Army learn anything at all?
The same useless mistakes over and over again.
Wash, rinse, repeat.
If you can't protect or re-enforce an FOB; why open one in the 1st place??
Where is fire support, where is drone overwatch, HUMINT/SIGINT- intelligence and reconnaisance, where is QRF, Airforce tucanos and helicopters?
15 YEARS into an insurgency. Same elementary errors.
SMH... incompetence all round.
Now you've lost both men and equipment.

rugged7:
https://www.geopolitical.report/boko-haram-terrorists-attack-nigerian-fob-in-sabon-gari/
TWO HOURS ATTACK!!!!
Are u kidding me
Does the Nigerian Army learn anything at all?
The same useless mistakes over and over again.
Wash, rinse, repeat.
If you can't protect or re-enforce an FOB; why open one in the 1st place??
Where is fire support, where is drone overwatch, HUMINT/SIGINT- intelligence and reconnaisance, where is QRF, Airforce tucanos and helicopters?
15 YEARS into an insurgency. Same elementary errors.
SMH... incompetence all round.
Now you've lost both men and equipment.

shut up e did you even get the full and true story
All Terrorists were killed with CAS

rugged7:
https://www.geopolitical.report/boko-haram-terrorists-attack-nigerian-fob-in-sabon-gari/
TWO HOURS ATTACK!!!!
Are u kidding me
Does the Nigerian Army learn anything at all?
The same useless mistakes over and over again.
Wash, rinse, repeat.
If you can't protect or re-enforce an FOB; why open one in the 1st place??
Where is fire support, where is drone overwatch, HUMINT/SIGINT- intelligence and reconnaisance, where is QRF, Airforce tucanos and helicopters?
15 YEARS into an insurgency. Same elementary errors.
SMH... incompetence all round.
Now you've lost both men and equipment.

Toju200:
shut up e did you even get the full and true story
All Terrorists were killed with CAS

I knew news like this either real, exaggerated/sensationalized, or fake was bound to pop up. Things have been to quiet lately. I feel bad for the Nigerian military; soldiers can be on a roll for months obliterating Boko harem in the hundreds with no casualties and few care. But the second a base is attacked and a gallant soldier dies[RIP] the internet is flooded with how useless the Nigerian military is and how there getting “dominated” by BokoHarem who are going to overrun the nation soon.

Fight on Soldiers

Toju west, liar like your drug dealer president Tinubu.
Propaganda can only last for so long.

Toju200:
shut up e did you even get the full and true story
All Terrorists were killed with CAS

The Brazilians are pushing hard!

“It is interesting to note that South Africa shares many similarities with Brazil, particularly in terms of geography and operational needs. Both countries have vast territories with remote and often challenging environments, including large forested areas and numerous austere airfields,” Embraer said. “Additionally, both nations rely on the Swedish designed Saab JAS-39 Gripen fighter jet, which is capable of air-to-air refuelling for the protection of their national airspace. This makes the C-390 Millennium an even more relevant and practical choice for the South African Air Force, offering not only cutting-edge capabilities but also enhancing the interoperability with Brazilian Air Force.”

“Beyond its versatility, reliability, and top-tier performance, which make it the best aircraft in its category, the C-390 also offers very attractive operating and maintenance costs. These qualities explain the growing commercial success of this mission-proven aircraft with numerous clients, including Sweden, South Korea, Portugal, Brazil, Hungary, Austria, and the Netherlands to replace their legacy aircraft,” Embraer concluded. Slovakia is in the process of acquiring three C-390s.
https://www.defenceweb.co.za/aerospace/aerospace-aerospace/south-african-delegation-visits-embraer-as-interest-remains-high-in-its-c-390-transport/

Nigeria’s HIOSL receives another Damen patrol vessel

Damen Shipyards Cape Town (DSCT) has delivered another FCS 3307 patrol vessel to Nigeria’s Homeland Integrated Offshore Services Ltd (Homeland IOSL), which will use it to perform offshore patrol duties in Nigerian maritime territories.

The vessel (Guardian 14) is on charter with an international energy company. Damen said the delivery marks the tenth Damen vessel to join the Homeland fleet, reflecting ongoing fleet expansion efforts.

“Homeland IOSL reaffirmed its confidence in Damen by signing a contract for this vessel last year. Damen’s approach of building vessels in series and keeping them in stock allows for rapid delivery of proven products to its clients,” the company said.

The FCS 3307 Patrol is equipped with Damen’s Sea Axe hull technology, which allows it to cut through water at high speeds, ensuring safety, stability, and comfort for the crew, alongside enhanced manoeuvrability, and fuel efficiency. The vessel also features a spacious aft deck, facilitating the transfer of cargo to offshore facilities.

Dr Louis Ekere, CEO of Homeland IOSL said, “The recently delivered vessel includes custom features such as ballistic protection in the wheelhouse and messroom area. It also features an electronic fuel monitoring system (EFMS), to allow the operators to monitor fuel use in real time, taking steps to address inefficiencies and reduce fuel consumption and emissions. Homeland IOSL’s FCS 3307 Patrol comes equipped with a night vision camera and a daughter craft to enhance its operational capabilities around the clock.”

The FCS 3307 Patrol has a top speed of 29 knots and is capable of accommodating up to six crew and twelve security personnel. They can remain at sea for up to four weeks and travel 1 200 nautical miles in and around Nigeria’s coastal and offshore oil fields.

In addition to the vessel, Damen said it is providing extensive aftersales support including crew training and a comprehensive spare parts package.

Homeland IOSL services Nigeria’s oil and gas sector, offering a wide range of services including marine vessel logistics, engineering, procurement, installation and construction, facility maintenance, and project management. Additionally, Homeland provides technical manpower services, oil country tubular goods (OCTG) services, and automated gas oil (AGO) supply services. Homeland IOSL maintains a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Nigerian Navy.

Homeland has a fleet of vessels that includes fast supply intervention vessels, platform support vessels, anchor handling tug supply ships, security and patrol vessels, tugs and other craft. It has previously acquired a number of crew/security vessels from Damen. The first Damen vessel was ordered in 2014.

Denel upgrading Umkhonto missile

Denel is upgrading its Umkhonto surface-to-air missile (SAM) from the current Infra-Red (IR) Block II version to a more powerful weapon with better intercept capabilities.

This will be good news for Denel’s customers, including the South African Navy (SAN), the Finnish Navy and the Algerian Navy, all of whom currently use the Umkhonto. Also, the SA Army is interested in the ground-based version to compliment its current Ground Based Air Defence System (GBADS).

Denel Project/Programme Manager Willem Maré explained to defenceWeb the system has a ground-based version, fired from Denel’s Ground Based Launcher or potentially in a missile silo. The original design was for the SA Navy’s Valour Class frigates as an advanced air defence system.

Upgrades will include extended range: a new rocket motor would extend range to 25 to 30 kilometres. Additionally, the IR seeker would be replaced by a radar seeker. The IR seeker can be affected by bad weather, which is especially relevant to the Finnish Navy, as infrared cannot see through clouds, but radar can. These upgrades will surely make the Umkhonto air defence missile more attractive to international clients, Denel believes.

Derived with assistance from the cancelled South African High Velocity missile programme, the Umkhonto surface-to-air missile was originally developed with a 12 km range but this was increased to 15 km and Denel has demonstrated it can reach out to 20 km, with a ceiling of 8 000 metres. It reaches speeds of around Mach 2.5. In 2013 Denel Dynamics for the first time fired the weapon from land – the system was originally developed for naval applications.

Once deployed, the 135 kg missile has a reaction time of 2.5 seconds and half-second intervals between missile launches. Umkhonto uses inertial navigation and mid-course guidance from the launch ship or from a land based radar and then switches to its dual-band thermal imaging seeker for a lock on after launch capability. The missile manoeuvres through tail-mounted control fins and thrust vectoring vanes in the motor nozzle.

The Umkhonto uses a proximity fuse to detonate its fragmentation warhead of 23 kilograms (the biggest warhead of its class). This warhead contains 4 800 titanium blocks. This gives the missile 95 plus percent kill probability, according to Maré. “It was tested at 10 metres; the penetration of one or two of the titanium blocks was through 11 mm of steel plate.”

Although it is primarily an anti-missile and anti-aircraft system, the pre-fragmented warhead makes it effective against surface targets like ships as well.

The vertically launched Umkhonto missile is installed aboard the SA Navy’s four Valour class frigates and is also in service with the Finnish navy aboard its Hamina fast attack craft and Hameenmaaa class minelayers and the Algerian Navy’s Meko A200 class frigates. It was due to be integrated into the South African Army’s Ground Based Air Defence System.

Pakistan to receive South African-modified maritime patrol aircraft from 2026

The Pakistan Navy will in 2026 receive the first Embraer Lineage 1000 aircraft modified by Leonardo and Paramount Aerospace Systems for the maritime patrol role.

In mid-2021, Pakistan contracted Leonardo to convert three Embraer Lineage 1000 aircraft into long-range maritime patrol aircraft for the Pakistan Navy as part of long-term plans to replace the country’s P-3C Orion fleet. Paramount was tasked with handling the pre-conversion maintenance, repair and overhaul of the aircraft as part of the Sea Sultan project.

It is believed the conversion will add electronic support measures/electronic intelligence (ESM/ELINT) sensors, an electro-optical turret, active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar, satellite communications, chaff/flare dispenser and torpedo/sonobuoy/depth charge launcher.

The Chief of Naval Staff of the Pakistan Navy, Admiral Admiral Naveed Ashraf, told defenceWeb that the induction of the Lineage 1000 maritime patrol aircraft into the Fleet Air Arm “is a remarkable addition to our maritime patrol capabilities.”

“The aircraft is presently being modified in South Africa and is expected to be delivered in 2026, with subsequent deliveries planned over the coming years as part of a phased approach to modernise our naval aviation. With its state-of-the-art technology, the Sea Sultan will complement our existing platforms, such as the older P-3C Orion and ATR 72 aircraft, while offering superior performance in terms of range, endurance, anti-submarine warfare and anti-surface vessel capabilities,” he said.

The Pakistan Navy has stated an intention to ultimately replace its P-3C Orion fleet with ten converted commercial jets.

The Pakistan Navy inducted the first Lineage 1000 in September 2021, at a ceremony at Pakistan Naval Station Mehran in Karachi. This aircraft is unmodified and used for crew training.

Apart from Paramount, other South African companies are involved in the Sea Sultan project. Aerospace engineering and manufacturing company Aerosud has been contracted to supply two sets of interiors.

After an 18-month design phase, Aerosud in May began embarking on the manufacturing of interior components for the special mission configuration. These configurations include specialised components such as galleys, observer tables, class dividers, and equipment stowages, with a completion date planned for mid-2025.

“This contract not only highlights Aerosud’s technical capabilities but also underscores its strategic approach to collaboration and project execution. By partnering with Paramount Aerospace Systems, Aerosud continues to expand its portfolio of projects, reinforcing its position as a trusted supplier in the aerospace industry,” the company said.

Lurker4Long:
The Brazilians are pushing hard!

Brazilians should know we don't use turbojets in transport aircrafts

GreenandGold:
Brazilians should know we don't use turbojets in transport aircrafts

When's the last time we used unprepared runways?
Embraer is sweetening the deal by including the building of a manufacturing and repair plant in SA.

Personally, I think we should scrap the medium transport capability. We'd be better off with a mix of light (airbus c-295/ leonardo c27 etc) and heavy (airbus a400/ il76 etc) transports.

Off-topic

GreenandGold, I came across this postcard of the Union Buildings. The postal service stamp on the back says 1913, which would be the year construction finished.
It's interesting contrasting the postcard drawing with the 2nd pic, taken in 1925. Surprising to see in the 1925 pic tufts of smoke in the city, presumably from coal, considering that electricity was introduced to Pretoria in 1892.

Of course, the last 2 pics are self-explanatory (including how many people are working late at the Presidency! ).

Lurker4Long:
When's the last time we used unprepared runways?

Remember when the French refused to allow the SANDF to offload 103mm rockets at Bangui airport? With props, we could have tactically landed down the roads and resupplied the contingency.

Lurker4Long:
Personally, I think we should scrap the medium transport capability. We'd be better off with a mix of light (airbus c-295/ leonardo c27 etc) and heavy (airbus a400/ il76 etc) transports.

Medium-lift has no advantages at all, we can't even lift a single Mamba APC outside our borders with medium-lift.

GreenandGold:
1.Remember when the French refused to allow the SANDF to offload 103mm rockets at Bangui airport? With props, we could have tactically landed down the roads and resupplied the contingency.



2. Medium-lift has no advantages at all, we can't even lift a single Mamba APC outside our borders with medium-lift.

1. Permission was refused to our C-130s, which are props, and that tactical option was still not available.
2. Yep. The only "bang" we can fit in the C-130 is a single G5. So, no more Hercs, and forget the Embraer. Those billions go towards a substantial fleet of C-295s/ C27J in cargo, SAR and maritime patrol configurations.
Then we get serious about the A400m, which gives us airlift, paradrops and air2air refueling for the Gripen and Hawk.

A combination of light and heavy fulfilling 6 different needs.

Lurker4Long:
Off-topic

GreenandGold, I came across this postcard of the Union Buildings. The postal service stamp on the back says 1913, which would be the year construction finished.
It's interesting contrasting the postcard drawing with the 2nd pic, taken in 1925. Surprising to see in the 1925 pic tufts of smoke in the city, presumably from coal, considering that electricity was introduced to Pretoria in 1892.

Of course, the last 2 pics are self-explanatory (including how many people are working late at the Presidency! ).

That postcard picture 👌🏽, they had good artists back then.

As for the smoke on pic 2, yeah it probably was coal, it was extensively used inland for warning up houses and in cooking stoves. I mean I've seen a lot of houses in the 90s with coal stoves especially around the Highveld.

Lurker4Long:
1. Permission was refused to our C-130s, which are props, and that tactical option was still not available.
2. Yep. The only "bang" we can fit in the C-130 is a single G5. So, no more Hercs, and forget the Embraer. Those billions go towards a substantial fleet of C-295s/ C27J in both cargo and maritime patrol configurations.
Then we get serious about the A400m, which gives us airlift, paradrops and air2air refueling for the Gripen and Hawk.

1. I always assumed it was a chartered heavy lift.

2. I'm done dreaming, we not getting anything from the National Treasurer or we should have at least ordered half of the original amount we had planned for, it would have been a win - still.

GreenandGold:
As for the smoke on pic 2, yeah it probably was coal, it was extensively used inland for warning up houses and in cooking stoves. I mean I've seen a lot of houses in the 90s with coal stoves especially around the Highveld.

I'd expect to see that in the periphery, not in the centre of the administrative capital in 1925, 33 years after electrification. Thinking deeper, it's quite possible that's Marabastad, which of course fell victim to forced removals in 1945.

Lurker4Long:
I'd expect to see that in the periphery, not in the centre of the administrative capital in 1925, 33 years after electrification. Thinking deeper, it's quite possible that's Marabastad, which of course fell victim to forced removals in 1945.

To be honest, I did think of Marabastad

GreenandGold:
To be honest, I did think of Marabastad

On Saturday I'm sailing from Gordon's Bay to Simon's Town so I decided to spend 2 days on this side of the city. And with all the mountains I had to go hiking on Kogelberg Peak.

Guatemala and El salvador troops arrive in Haiti

It’s a military forum and guys are up here posting there hiking and strolling through the park photos. 💀

AskiaHarem:
It’s a military forum and guys are up here posting there hiking and strolling through the park photos. 💀

I like it though.

AskiaHarem:
It’s a military forum and guys are up here posting there hiking and strolling through the park photos. 💀

Doesn't seem to have impeded your voluminous, greatly informative contributions to the thread!

Key Dignitaries Attend Passing Out Parade at the National Police Academy

The National Police Academy in Haiti, once under threat from the notorious Kraze Baryè gang led by Vitel’Homme Innocent, has successfully reopened and celebrated a milestone event. Despite fears that the academy might remain closed indefinitely due to gang control in the surrounding area, a bold decision by Director General of the Haitian National Police (HNP) Normil Rameau and MSS Force Commander Godfrey Otunge led to its reopening in July 2024. They established the first MSS Forward Operating Base (FOB) at the academy, paving the way for the training of a new batch of officers.

On Friday, January 10, 2025, the academy held a spectacular passing-out parade for 739 newly trained officers, including 213 women. These officers had undergone rigorous training since August 2024. The event was a powerful symbol of resilience and progress.

Although there were initial attempts by gangs to disrupt the ceremony, with isolated gunfire reported far from the academy, specialized units of the HNP and MSS swiftly neutralized the situation. The graduation ceremony proceeded without further interruption.

Dignitaries in Attendance

The Chief Guest for the graduation of the 34th HNP class, named “Vertières,” was His Excellency Leslie Voltaire, President of the Transitional Presidential Council (TPC). Other notable dignitaries included: Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé, Minister of Justice and Public Security Patrick Pélissier, HNP Director General Normil Rameau, MSS Force Commander Godfrey Otunge, Maria Isabel Salvador, Head of the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti, and Ambassadors Dennis B. Hankins (USA) and André François Giroux (Canada)

Key Speeches

President Leslie Voltaire emphasized that the graduation of these officers symbolizes the government’s commitment to restoring security in Haiti and creating conditions conducive to holding a national referendum and elections.

Sem Prédestin, Director of the National Police School, highlighted the comprehensive training the recruits received to address current challenges. He urged them to foster positive relationships with the public and uphold professionalism, honesty, and respect.

Director General Rameau Normil commended the recruits for their determination and courage during the five-month training. He reminded them of their duty to combat insecurity and acknowledged the vital role of the MSS Kenya contingent in supporting the academy. He also noted the success of the HNP-MSS collaboration, particularly in the West and Artibonite departments.

Justice Minister Patrick Pélissier urged the new officers to maintain discipline in their duties.

Future Impact
The new officers are expected to join special units within the HNP to strengthen and enhance police operations. This development is a significant boost in the fight against gang violence. The MSS also plans to establish new FOBs in the two most affected regions, further consolidating efforts to restore law and order in Haiti.

_*MSS is committed to ensuring that HAITI regains its lost glory.*
_

Ghana commissions new naval base and naval vessel

Ghana’s President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has commissioned a new naval base as well as the GNS Achimota, the largest ship in Ghana’s navy.

Forward Operating Base (FOB) Ezinlibo is the largest naval base in the Ghana Navy and was commissioned on 23 December in Jomoro in the Western Region. FOB Ezinlibo has a harbour, administration block, armoury, medical centre, stores facility, and accommodation capable of housing over 1 000 personnel. Construction work began five years ago. The new base is close to the border with Côte d’Ivoire, making it ideally located for protecting Ghana’s offshore oilfields.

At the commissioning ceremony, the President said he is committed to strengthening the Ghana Navy’s capabilities. He stated that the establishment of the Naval Training Command at Nutekpor and the Riverine Command, alongside strategically located FOBs like Ezinlibo, Tilli, Bui, Sankore and Kenyase, reflect his government’s determination to secure Ghana’s resources and ensure peace and stability in the region.

The President in his address at the commissioning ceremony of GNS Achimota at the Sekondi Naval Base said the government’s achievements, including the acquisition of over 20 modern platforms, demonstrate the unwavering commitment to making Ghana a maritime powerhouse in the sub region.

GNS Achimota is the third ship to bear the name after two previously decommissioned vessels, and is the largest vessel so far acquired by the Ghana Navy, measuring 65 metres in length, the Ghana Navy stated.

The Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), Rear Admiral Issah Adam Yakubu, in his welcome address expressed gratitude to the President and the Japanese Ambassador for facilitating the acquisition of the vessel from Japan. GNS Achimota (P46) previously served as the Japanese Fisheries Agency patrol vessel Aratsu.

The vessel was built by Kurinoura Shipbuilding in Japan in 1999 and has a complement of 20 people. It was listed as being sold by SeaBoats marine brokers. It arrived at Sekondi Naval Base for the first time on 21 December.

On its arrival, Yakubu commended and congratulated the Commanding Officer of GNS Achimota, Commander Joshua Joy MacSimpiney and the ship’s crew, for successfully completing the longest passage in Ghana Navy’s History, by crossing the equator two times at the Indian and Atlantic Oceans.

GNS Achimota sailed from Yawatahama Port in Japan on 18 October 2024, covering a distance of 10 869 nautical miles to arrive home. The ship will be employed in the Ghana Navy fleet among others for fisheries protection duties and as a training vessel for both Officers and Ratings, the Ghana Navy said.

Akufo-Addo last month urged Parliament to expedite approval for the acquisition of two 72 metre Offshore Patrol Vessels to enhance the nation’s maritime security. Ghana is making efforts to modernise its naval capabilities to safeguard its maritime resources. Part of these efforts saw the Ghana Navy take delivery of two Defender class boats (GNS Issah Yakubu and GNS David Hansen) from the United States in September 2024.

The US has provided four 38-foot boats, maintenance spares, communication equipment, Visit, Board, Search and Seizure (VBSS) gear, weapons, ammunition, and other essential support over the past two years.

In July 2023 the US donated two Defender class boats to Ghana’s Special Boat Squadron. A month before, the Ghana Navy took delivery of two former US Coast Guard Marine Protector patrol boats (GNS Aflao and GNS Half Assini) supplied by the United States under its Excess Defence Articles (EDA) programme.

One of the highlights of the expansion of Ghana’s Navy was the acquisition of four Flex Fighter offshore patrol vessels that were built in Singapore by Penguin Shipyard. They were commissioned in February 2022. These four vessels were bought to provide dedicated security to the country’s offshore oil and gas installations.

In October 2017 Ghana commissioned into service four Chinese-made patrol boats (985Y), which have a maximum displacement of 8.6 tons, a maximum speed of 38 knots and range of 220 nautical miles. Previously, Ghana has bought Chinese military hardware that includes two 46 metre patrol vessels ordered from Poly Technologies in 2008. The two were commissioned in 2011.

New naval infrastructure is also being added, including multiple forward operating bases across the coastline.

Morocco looking to buy Small Diameter Bombs, AIM-120 missiles for its F-16s

The Kingdom of Morocco has requested to buy $175 million worth of AIM-120 AMRAAM air-to-air missiles and GBU-39B Small Diameter Bombs from the United States.

Both possible sales were approved by the US State Department on 20 December, and the relevant notifications delivered to Congress. The Defence Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) said Morocco has requested to buy 500 Boeing GBU-39B Small Diameter Bombs I (SDB-I); and two GBU-39 (T-1)/B inert practice bombs along with training rounds, spares and support for an estimated total cost of $86 million.

Morocco also requested to buy up to 30 RTX Corporation AIM-120C-8 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAMs) and one AIM-120C-8 guidance section as well as telemetry kits, spares and other equipment for a total cost of $88.37 million.

“The proposed sale will improve the Kingdom of Morocco’s capability to meet current and future threats by ensuring it has modern, capable air-to-air munitions to meet its mission in securing its borders and territorial waters, countering terrorism and illicit trafficking, and using its newly acquired F-16 Block 72 fleet,” the DSCA said.

The Royal Moroccan Air Force flies 23 F-16C/D Block 50/52 aircraft that it received from 2011 to 2012 (one was lost over Yemen during operations as part of the Saudi-led coalition). The US Defence Security Cooperation Agency in 2019 approved the upgrade of these aircraft to the latest F-16V Block 70/72 standard at a cost of $985.2 million.

In March 2019, the US State Department approved the $3.7 billion sale of 25 new F-16C/D Block 72 aircraft to replace the Mirage F1s Morocco received in the 1970s, and the Northrop F-5E/F Tiger IIs it received in the 1980s. The new F-16s are being acquired with AIM-120C-7 AMRAAM missiles, Paveway II guided bombs and GBU-39/B Small Diameter Bombs, amongst others. Production by Lockheed Martin of Morocco’s new F-16s is expected to conclude by December 2026.

In late 2022 Morocco ordered L3Harris smart weapon release systems (BRU-57/A) that allow its F-16s to carry two smart weapons on each system instead of one, doubling munitions capacity. It is compatible with 500 pound (225 kg) and 1 000-pound (450 kg) guided weapons.

Morocco’s existing F-16s are equipped with a variety of extra equipment, including Lockheed Martin Sniper targeting pods, Goodrich DB-110 airborne reconnaissance pods and Raytheon’s Advanced Countermeasures Electronic System (ACES). Armament includes AIM-9X Block II Sidewinders with lock on after launch capability, AGM-65D Maverick air-to-surface missiles and Enhanced GBU-12 Paveway II laser guided bomb kits. Several years ago Morocco also ordered Harpoon missiles for its F-16s.

Meanwhile, the Royal Moroccan Air Force has reportedly shown interest in the Chinese L-15 Falcon, a jet available in subsonic and supersonic trainer and light attack variants. While Morocco traditionally sources Western defence equipment, interest in the L-15 may stem from limited availability of Western alternatives like the US T-7A, though doubts persist about integrating a Chinese trainer alongside Morocco’s Western-supplied combat fleet, including upgraded F-16s and Mirage F1s, ADIT’s The Bulletin reports.

Morocco is continuing to strengthen its military, with a defence budget of 133 billion dirhams ($13 billion) in 2025, up 7.25% on 2024. Planned acquisitions include aircraft, tanks, and air defence systems.

KDF introduced a cutting-edge military training system, Tactical Engagement Simulation (TES), to hone the combat skills of soldiers & units, & derive the best value from live training