The North Africa Post
The US has approved the upgrade of Morocco’s F16 fleet with defense equipment components for $250 million to ensure the continuation of sustainment of its fighter jets.
The deal also covers personnel training and training equipment, and publications and technical documentation will also be provided.
Following the approval, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) notified Congress of the sale.
“This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security of the US by helping to improve the security of a major non-NATO ally that is an important force for political stability and economic progress in North Africa,” the DSCA said.
The proposed sale will enable Morocco to enhance interoperability with the US and other regional allies in addition to improving its self-defense capabilities.
“Morocco will have no difficulty absorbing this support into its armed forces. The proposed sale will not alter the basic military balance in the region,” DSCA added.
DSCA announced in March the approval of a sale of 25 F-16C/D Block 72 fighter jets for a cost of $3.8 billion to Morocco’s Royal Armed Forces.
The Moroccan military ordered 24 F-16s in 2008 and lost one in 2015 while taking part in the Saudi-led air operations in Yemen.
The F-16 Block 70/72 is the newest and most advanced F-16 configuration to date, with a structural life more than 50 percent beyond that of previous F-16 aircraft, according to Lockheed Martin. It features an active radar with new avionics and software that takes advantage of new technologies.
POSTED BY NORTH AFRICA POST
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