Marruecos y Brasil, cada vez más cerca
Brazil and Morocco have approved a new military cooperation agreement. This responds to the Moroccan kingdom's initiative to diversify its commercial and military allies.
Brazil's National Defence and Foreign Relations Committee has approved the text of the framework cooperation agreement between Brazil and Morocco in defence matters. It focuses on research and development, logistical support and the acquisition of products and services.
The agreement also provides for participation in theoretical and practical courses, cultural and sporting events, mutual humanitarian assistance and military training. When the agreement was signed in 2021, the two countries also sealed seven agreements covering various areas ranging from investment to defence, including mutual legal assistance and avoidance of double taxation for maritime and air transport.
They also reached an agreement on technology transfer in the field of electric mobility. Green Energy Park, a solar energy research and training centre based in Benguerir, and INESC P&D Brazil, a scientific and technological network, signed the agreement aimed at establishing a structure throughout the country that is ready to charge cars. By multiplying the number of electric charging stations, it is easier for residents of the Moroccan kingdom to buy electric cars.
Morocco and Brazil previously had important trade agreements initialled. The African country is a major supplier of fertilisers, which are essential for Brazil's agriculture. In turn, the South American country sells agricultural products such as sugar. The Alawi kingdom was the third largest supplier of fertilisers to Brazil in 2021, accounting for 10.5% of the total imported by the South American country, one of the main granaries of the planet.
Brazil has undoubtedly become one of Morocco's main economic partners in recent years. In 2021, the Kingdom's exports to the South American country broke a record since the beginning of the statistical series in 2016. In fact, the Kingdom had exported products totalling more than $1.9 billion to Brazil in 2021, an increase of 70.29% compared to 2020 ($1.1 billion) and 98.29% compared to 2019 (more than $967 million). Last year, Morocco was the second Arab exporter to Brazil after Saudi Arabia.
Morocco is diversifying its military cooperation partners. In 2022, the country agreed with the United States to strengthen its cooperation. Specifically, they have strengthened their ties in the fight against terrorism and joint training of the armed forces, such as the 'African Lion' military exercises. The manoeuvres are scheduled from 22 May to 16 June 2023 in the regions of Agadir, Tan-Tan, Mehbes, Tiznit, Kenitra, Benguerir and Tifnit, the "African Lion 2023" exercise remains a key event that contributes to consolidating Moroccan-US military cooperation and strengthening exchanges between the Armed Forces of different countries on the continent.
Morocco also imports its arms mainly from the United States, but also from France and China. Morocco's military expenditure reached $5 billion last year, according to a report by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI).
Similarly, after sealing peace with Israel, Israel's sales of military exports increased by 30%, in part because of new purchases by the Alawite kingdom. Another major security supplier to the kingdom is Turkey. According to Le360, Morocco will get seven fast attack craft known as FACs and a corvette from the Turkish shipyard Gölcük in 2023. The former are new, upgraded and improved models of the Kilic II-class ships. As far as is known, Morocco will have a new fleet that is equal in size and capacity to the ships in the Turkish Navy's possession.
Thus, Morocco is becoming one of Africa's leading powers in defence and security due to investments in armaments and military training thanks to the multiplicity of its partners.
