Morocco effectively receives the first batch of AH-64E Apache helicopters

Morocco and the United States continue their close cooperation in military matters.

A new step in this direction has been taken with the official reception at the Moroccan air base of Salé of the first batch of six AH-64E Apache helicopters supplied by the US.

The ceremony was attended by Abdellatif Loudiyi, Minister Delegate to the Head of Government in charge of National Defence Administration; Ryad Mezzour, Minister of Industry and Trade; Fouzi Lekjaa, Minister Delegate to the Minister of Economy and Finance in charge of the Budget; Lieutenant General Mohamed Berrid, Inspector General of the Royal Armed Forces and Commander of the Southern Zone; Lieutenant General Mohamed Haramou, commander of the Royal Gendarmerie, Air Force Lieutenant General Mohamed Kadih, inspector of the Royal Air Force, as well as a high-level US delegation led by General Michael Langley, commander of the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM), and Aimee Cutrona, chargé d'affaires of the US Embassy in Morocco. 

Military collaboration between Morocco and the United States has been total for many years. The North American giant considers the Moroccan kingdom a very valuable ally for the preservation of order and security in North Africa and also in other areas such as the Middle East and the Arab world due to its great diplomatic influence. 

The Royal Moroccan Armed Forces have an important position with respect to other armies in the world. Specifically, it ranks 59th in the world in terms of military power, according to the prestigious report produced each year by GlobalFirepower.

In addition, the Moroccan Army and the prestigious General Directorate of National Security, headed by Abdellatif Hammouchi, work very hard in the fight against criminal gangs engaged in all kinds of illicit business and also against cross-border terrorism. Morocco maintains continuous contact with important powers on the international scene such as the United States, Israel, France, Germany, Spain, etc., and this shows the importance that these nations confer on Morocco as an ally and bulwark for the maintenance of international security.

Along these lines, Morocco receives important military equipment from nations with great power in the arms industry, such as the United States, which supplies important land, air or naval elements, or Israel and Turkey, great exponents for example of the technological industry of drones, so important now in current armed conflicts. All this is done through important military agreements and treaties.

The delivery of the Apache AH-64 E helicopters will provide the Royal Moroccan Air Force with highly advanced aircraft to deal with possible armed conflicts and maintain security. 

The AH-64 E is a state-of-the-art attack helicopter, one of the most advanced in the world, designed by the US aeronautics company Boeing. 

The Apache AH-64 E helicopter is equipped with state-of-the-art communication and navigation systems, sensors and weaponry, has great firepower and versatility of use, can operate in hostile environments, is designed to stay in flight after being shot at with ammunition of up to 23 mm and can operate both day and night. 

In June 2020, Morocco signed a contract with Boeing for the acquisition of 24 aircraft of this type, with an option for 12 more. Production began in 2023 and the first batch has now been received.