Morocco begins to receive the most advanced combat helicopters: Boeing's Apache Guardian AH-64E
The Royal Moroccan Air Force has received the first of the 36 units of the most modern combat helicopter manufactured by Boeing that it has acquired from the United States
Morocco now has the most advanced combat helicopters in the world: the Apache Guardian AH-64E, manufactured by the US company Boeing. These aircraft are designed for high-precision attack operations and feature the most advanced weaponry technology.
- The most advanced combat helicopter
- An investment of 3.9 billion euros
- Renovation of the air base at Jouribga
- Morocco, US ally
According to Military Africa, the first three units of this new Apache Guardian model, manufactured at Boeing's facilities in Mesa (Arizona, USA), made a brief stopover at the Midland/Odessa (Texas, USA) air terminal before continuing their journey to Morocco.
The most advanced combat helicopter
This is the Apache AH-64E Guardian Block III (AB3), an improved version of this aircraft with new technologies, sensors and even the capacity to control drones. This model is the evolution of the first AH-64E, which was presented in 1989, and is one of the most advanced combat helicopters in the world, forming part of the air forces of countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom, Israel, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Japan and the Netherlands.
Equipped with a General Electric T700 engine, which it shares with other helicopters such as the Black Hawk or the NH90 (which the Spanish Armed Forces have), these aircraft weigh around 10 tonnes and can fly at altitudes of up to 6,000 metres, at a maximum speed of 300 kilometres per hour.
With regard to their armament, the new Apaches of the Royal Moroccan Air Force (RMAF) are equipped with AGM-114R Hellfire and AGM-114L Hellfire air-to-ground missiles, as well as precision guidance kits for Hydra 70 rockets, AIM-92H Stinger missiles and a 30-millimetre cannon.
The new combat aircraft will replace the Moroccan Armed Forces' current fleet of 24 French-made SA342L Gazelle helicopters, which were manufactured in 1978.
An investment of 3.9 billion euros
The Moroccan government placed the order with the United States in August 2019, including 24 AH-64E units, worth 1.4 billion euros, with the possibility of acquiring a further 12 additional units.
Finally, shortly before Democrat Joe Biden defeated Donald Trump in the presidential elections, Morocco confirmed the purchase of 36 units for a total of 3.9 billion euros. The deal was officially announced in June 2020.
According to the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA), which authorises the sale of military equipment to foreign nations, the contract signed by Morocco also includes equipment, armament, training and support. In fact, in 2021, the RMAF sent pilots and technicians for flight training and maintenance of the new Apache helicopter model.
Renovation of the air base at Jouribga
The purchase of the 36 Boeing-manufactured helicopters is part of a wide-ranging technological modernisation plan for the Moroccan Armed Forces, which also includes the acquisition of new models of fighter aircraft and the modernisation of some bases.
According to Military Africa, Morocco has also acquired the latest Lockheed Martin F-16 Block 70/72 Fighting Falcon, which will replace the old Mirage F1 and Northrop F-5E/F Tiger II and will join the F-16C/D that have been operational since 2011.
The incorporation of the new Apache Guardian helicopters has forced the renovation of the Jouribga airbase, located some 100 kilometres south of Rabat, from where the new helicopters will operate.
Morocco, US ally
The sale of the new aircraft to Morocco is proof of the importance the United States attaches to the African country as an ally. According to the DSCA, the operation ‘will support US foreign policy and national security by helping to improve the security of an important non-NATO ally’. The agency considers Morocco to be ‘an important force for political stability and economic progress in North Africa’.
The Apache acquisition deal, which was finalised just before Joe Biden's arrival at the White House, reinforces the good relations between the Moroccan government and the Trump administration, which has backed Morocco's Autonomy Plan for Western Sahara, a key foreign policy issue for the North African country.
