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Royal Moroccan Air Force

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Royal Moroccan Air Force
Badge of the Royal Moroccan Air Force
Founded19 November 1956; 67 years ago (1956-11-19)
Country Morocco
TypeAir force
RoleAerial warfare
Size13,000 personnel[1]
Part ofRoyal Moroccan Armed Forces
Equipmentmore than 400 aircraft
Engagements
Commanders
Commander-in-ChiefKing Mohammed VI
Commander of the Air ForceGeneral Mohammed Gadih
Insignia
Roundel
Fin flash
Aircraft flown
FighterF-16 Fighting Falcon, Northrop F-5, Mirage 2000, Mirage F1
Attack helicopterSA 342, AH-64E Apache[2]
Multirole helicopterCH-47, SA 330, AB205
ReconnaissanceC-130
TrainerBeechcraft Super King Air, T-6C, Alpha Jet E+, F-5F
TransportC-130H, CN-235M, C-27J
TankerKC-130H

The Royal Moroccan Air Force (Arabic: القوات الجوية الملكية; Berber languages: Adwas ujenna ageldan; French: Forces Royales Air)[3] is the air force of the Moroccan Armed Forces.

History

[edit]

The Moroccan air force was formed on 14 May 1956 as the Sherifian Royal Aviation (Aviation Royale Chérifienne).[4]

Its modern installations and bases were inherited from France (Meknes, Rabat in tandem with the United States, Marrakech, Kenitra, Ben Guerir, Boulhault, Nouasseur, and Sidi Slimane),[4] and later Spain (Laayoune).[5] In the 1950s and 1960s, American aircraft were deployed in several of these bases, including nuclear bombers from the Strategic Air Command.[4]

The first aircraft of this newly formed air force were 16 Morane-Saulnier Alcyons, five Max Holste MH.1521 Broussard transport aircraft, one Aérospatiale Alouette II, and one Bell H-13 Sioux.[4]

In 1961, it obtained 12 Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-17 fighters, two Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-15UTI trainers and either two or four Ilyushin Il-28 bombers from the Soviet Union. Eight Fouga Magister training aircraft were also received from France.[6]

On 1 February 1964, the Sherifian Royal Aviation changed its name to Royal Air Force (Force Aérienne Royale).[7] Since the 1990s, it has been known as the Forces Royales Air.[8]

The political rift with the Soviet Union pushed Morocco to seek a new ally in the United States, acquiring from the latter six Northrop F-5 combat aircraft (4 single-seat F-5A and 2 two-seat F-5B) and another 20 F-5A and four F-5B in 1966.[citation needed] Around 1962, 10 Douglas C-47 Skytrain and six Fairchild C-119G transport aircraft were acquired. At that time, the helicopter fleet was composed of six Aerospatiale Alouette IIs and four Bell 47s. 12 North American T-6 Texans were used for pilot training;[9] no less than eight T-6Gs and 56 SNJ-4s had been delivered by France, but most of them were in a very poor condition, and written off soon after their delivery. 15 Harvard Mk 4s were also delivered in 1962.[10]

Starting in 1968, Morocco acquired 60 AB205, 25 AB206, two AB212, and nine CH-47C helicopters from Italy. Deliveries lasted until 1977.[11]

The next modernization of the Moroccan Air Force took place just before the Sahara conflict. The first 25 Mirage F1CH fighters were purchased in 1975, together with 38 Aerospatiale Puma helicopters. Six C-130Hs were bought in 1973, and deliveries started in 1974.[12] Modernization of Northrop F-5 Freedom Fighter with improved technology and the purchase of 24 Alpha Jet E would later be undertaken by the RMAF; another modernization of the fleet of Dassault Mirage F1 was achieved in 1996 and 1997.

During the 90s there were plans for purchasing Mirage 2000 or F-16 fighter aircraft, however due to unavailable funding they were not realized. By 2011 the Royal Moroccan Air Force started to modernize its ageing fleet by buying F-16s.[13]

Operations

[edit]

Sand War

[edit]

The RMAF participated in the Moroccan-Algerian border conflict in 1963 known as Sand War. Its Fairchild C-119s and Douglas C-47s were used to resupply troops, North American T-6s for reconnaissance, and Morane-Saulnier Alcyons for ground attack. MiG-17s were only used sporadically, mostly due to their short range.[14]

Yom Kippur War

[edit]

During the Yom Kippur War, a squadron of Royal Moroccan Air Force Northrop F-5As joined the Egyptian 69 Squadron at Tanta on 19 October 1973. At least 14 MiG-17s and also around a dozen of F-5As were deployed. The F-5As arrived after a lengthy trip, via Tunis and Libya, accompanied by Lockheed C-130 Hercules transports that carried spare parts, weapons, and equipment. Moroccans started flying tasked with CAP missions over the Nile Delta. In January 1974 two F-5As armed with AIM-9Bs and 20mm cannons intercepted a pair of Israeli Air Force Mirage IIICJs on a reconnaissance mission. The Israelis turned away once the F-5As were detected, dragging both RMAF fighters behind them. Concerned about a possible ambush by Israeli F-4E Phantom IIs, the Egyptian Air Force ground control ordered both Moroccan fighters to return, replacing them with two EAF MiG-21MFs.[15]

Western Sahara War

[edit]

At the beginning of the Western Sahara War, Fouga Magisters (based at Laayoune) and North American T-6 Texans (based at Dakhla) were used for ground support.[16] Later on, the F-5s went into action, to strike POLISARIO targets.[17]

In 1980, construction of the Sahara defensive walls began, consisting of several types of obstacles for infantry and armoured vehicles, such as mine fields and barbed wire. Radars and other electronic sensors were used to detect infiltration attempts, all backed by Quick Intervention Units (Détachements d'Intervention Rapide) able to move to and quickly reinforce attacked outposts along the wall.[18] It was also decided to use Aérospatiale SA 342 Gazelle helicopters with HOT missiles to engage the POLISARIO's armoured vehicles and technicals from outside the range of light anti-aircraft guns.[19] Apart from the ground radars of the Wall, two C-130 Hercules equipped with SLARs were also used for the detection of enemy units.[20] However, the first portion of the wall, completed in 1982, protected only the area considered as “useful” for Morocco's political and economic interests, that is, the capital Laayoune, the religious center Smara, and the phosphate fields of Bou Craa.[21]

After the loss of nine F-5As during combat operations against the POLISARIO, 16 F-5Es and 4 F-5Fs were acquired in October 1979.[22] The main problem that faced Moroccan fighter-bombers in Western Sahara was their insufficient range over the vast battlefield of the Sahara desert. To address it, in 1982, a Boeing 707-138B was fitted with Beech hose units at the wingtips for refueling. Two Lockheed KC-130Hs were also delivered, and all of the F-5Es were modified with aerial refueling probes.[23]

In December 1977, the Royal Moroccan Air Force started receiving its first Mirage F1CHs.[12] Even though the Mirage F1CH was designed as an interceptor, it was used almost exclusively for ground attack in the war against the POLISARIO.[24] The last of a total of 30 Mirage F1CHs were received in December 1979. Additionally, 20 Mirage F1EHs (including six equipped with in-flight refuelling probes) were delivered between December 1979 and July 1982.[25]

Together with the F-5E/Fs, the FRA decided to buy a total of 24 OV-10As from the United States Marine Corps. However, only the first six aircraft were delivered. They were mostly used in a maritime patrol role and for reconnaissance due to their inefficiency in combat.[26]

Intervention against ISIL

[edit]

In late 2014 Morocco sent F-16s into combat against ISIL in Iraq and Syria.[27][28] This was the first deployment for the jets since Morocco purchased them in 2011.[29][13]

Modernization in the 21st century

[edit]

The Royal Moroccan Air Force started a progressive modernization program of its ageing fleet and their technical and operational capacities.[30]

F-5 upgrades

[edit]

Improvements to F-5A/B were realised with the installation of "Tiger II" avionics on, probably, 8 F-5A and 2 F-5B.[31] A contract was stipulated with the French company SOGERMA at Bordeaux (France), all aircraft were received by 1998.[32] From 2001 to 2004 the RMAF's F-5E/F received a full refurbishment and upgrade from SOGERMA. The upgraded improved the performance of the "Tiger II" to the level of the "Tiger III". The work carried up included:

  • new FIAR Grifo F/X Plus improved radar (similar in performance to the AN/APG-69)
  • Elettronica ELT/555 active Electronic Countermeasures (ECM) pods.
  • HOTAS (Hands On Throttle And Stick)
  • New EWPS/-100 (DM/A-106) RWR
  • Cockpit Layout with new:
    • heads-up display
    • Weapons Delivery and Navigation System MFD/WDNS
    • Multifunction displays

The F-5E/F TIII acquired the capability to use new weapon systems such as Beyond Visual Range missiles and precise-guided weapons. RADA ACE ground debriefing station,[33] a Simulator and AN/AAQ-28(V) LITENING targeting pods have also been purchased.

Mirage F1 MF2000 ASTRAC

[edit]

In 2005, the RMAF started the 350 million euro MF2000 Dassault Mirage F1 upgrade program,[34][35] which has overhauled 27 Mirage F1s (F1CH, F1EH and F1EH-200) to the level of Mirage 2000-5 to improve survivability for the MF2000, that included :

  • The replacement of the old Thomson-CSF Cyrano IV radar by Thales RC400 (RDY-3).
  • 4% thrust boost and longer life through a new compressor module for the Snecma Atar 9K50 engines.
  • New cockpit Layout with two multifuction LCDs, a Head-Up Display with UFCP (Up Front Control Panel), two mini-LCDs (to RWR and artificial horizon) and full HOTAS controls.
  • Inertial-aided GPS Navigator Sagem Sigma 95.
  • CN2H-AA Mk II Night-Vision Goggles.
  • Modern zero-zero ejection seat.
  • About 100 million euro worth of MICA missiles
  • New electronics:
    • New weapons management system.
    • Advanced Thales Radar-warning system.
    • New Data Link.
    • Improved communications-system.
    • Two Dynamic task computer-integrated with a MIL-STD-1553B bus.

The upgrade enabled the use of more advanced equipment as:

This upgrade was developed by ASTRAC (Association Sagem Thales pour la Rénovation d'Avions de Combat).

T-6C Texan and F-16C/D Block 52+

[edit]

In 2007, Morocco formally requested 24 T-6C Texan trainer aircraft, with very secondary light attack capability.

In 2008, a $2.4 billion order was placed for 24 F-16C/D Block 52+ aircraft as well as associated equipment and services,[36] with:

General Ahmed Boutaleb (left) during a meeting with Brigadier General Robert Ferrell, March 2010

F-16 fleet improvements

[edit]

Later, from 2008 to 2012 the RMAF purchased advanced equipment for its F-16 fleet:

Advanced armament was also acquired:

Possible F-35 acquisition

[edit]

Morocco is reported to be interested in the purchase of F-35s to counter its arch-rival Algeria which is reported to have placed order for 14 Su-57s.[37] Israeli defence intelligence firm, JaFaj announced in January that Israeli Minister of Defence, Benny Gantz said that his Moroccan counterpart Abdellatif Loudiyi, the Moroccan Minister of Defence, is asking for Israel's help to convince the Biden administration to authorize the sale of F-35 to Morocco.[38]

Other purchases and upgrades

[edit]
A Moroccan F-16

In 2008, 4 C-27J Spartan tactical transport aircraft were also purchased from Finmeccanica subsidiary Alenia Aeronautica for 130 million euro,[39] and the advanced trainer and CAS/COIN aircraft Alpha Jet E fleet was upgraded to the "E+ standard". General Atomics received in 2010 export licenses to sell an unarmed export version of the Predator to Saudi Arabia, Egypt, U.A.E. and Morocco. Six aerial firefighting Bombardier 415 Superscooper were also purchased in 2011. The modernization and upgrade of the former US Air Force base in Ben Guerir Air Base to support its F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft is also important. In March 2013, it has been reported that the RMAF have purchased 3 EADS Harfang MALE UAVs decommissioned by France, but these would not have been delivered until 2020.[40][41]

In 2015, 3 refurbished CH-47D were received from the US, to be added to the 9 CH-47C delivered in 1979 and 1982 (originally 12 were acquired).[42]

In 2019, Government of Morocco requested purchase of 25 F-16 block 72 and was approved by The U.S. Department of State.[43] A $2.8 billion contract was signed in 2020.[44] First shipment of 12 new Vipers will be received in 2021.[45]

It has been proposed to upgrade the existing F-16s to the Block 72 standard.[46]

24 Apache helicopters were also ordered in 2020.[44]

Accidents

[edit]

In January 2011, a Royal Moroccan Air Force F-5 crashed while trying to land at the airport of the military base near Meknes and a pilot was killed in the crash.[47]

In July 2011, a Royal Moroccan Air Force C-130H crash killed 78 people after the aircraft, en route from Dakhla, a city in Morocco to Kenitra Air Base in Kenitra, crashed 9.7 km (6 mi) from a planned stop-over at Guelmim Air Base. The 6 crew, 60 members of the army and 12 civilians, mainly partners travelling with their partners, perished in the accident.

In November 2012, nine soldiers were killed and two seriously injured in a SA330 Puma crash in the same region of Guelmim during a combined forces exercise.[48]

On May 11, 2015, a Royal Moroccan Air Force F-16 which was taking part in air campaign in Yemen crashed due to technical faults.[49]

On 16 August 2015, a Mirage F1 was lost after a bird strike.[50]

On 21 January 2019, a Mirage F1 has crashed in Taounat area due to a technical problem. The pilot ejected before the crash.[51]

Ranks

[edit]
Main article: Military ranks of the Royal Moroccan Armed Forces
Officers
Rank group General / flag officers Senior officers Junior officers
Royal Moroccan Air Force[52]
Général d'armée aerienne Général de corps aerienne Général de division aerienne Général de brigade aerienne Colonel major Colonel Lieutenant-colonel Commandant Capitaine Lieutenant Sous-lieutenant
  • Général Suprême des Armées et Commandant en Chef: His Majesty the King of Morocco.
Enlisted
Rank group Senior NCOs Junior NCOs Enlisted
Royal Moroccan Air Force[52]
 No insignia
Adjudant-chef Adjudant Sergent-major Sergent-chef Sergent Caporal-chef Caporal Soldat de première classe Soldat de deuxième classe

Airbases

[edit]
class=notpageimage|
RMAF Air Bases in Morocco

Aircraft

[edit]

Current inventory

[edit]
A Moroccan F-5E
A Moroccan Mirage F1C
A Moroccan C-130H
A SA 330 Puma helicopter
Aircraft Origin Type Variant In service Notes
Combat aircraft
F-16 Fighting Falcon United States multirole F-16C/D 23[53] 8 D variants used for training - 25 F-16Vs on order[54] (23 Blk.52+ to be upgraded to Block 72 and 25 Blk.70/72 delivery on progress)
Northrop F-5 United States fighter F-5E/F-5F 22[53] 3 F-5Fs provided training[1]
Mirage F1 France multirole F1C / F1E 25[53]
Special Mission
Gulfstream G550 United States AEW&C CAEW 2[53] 2 on order[55]
Dassault Falcon 20 France ELINT 2[56]
Bombardier CL-415 Canada water bomber 8[57]
Transport
Boeing 747 United States VIP transport 2[58] 1 BBJ 747-8 ( CN-MBH ) possessed by the King of Morocco Mohammed VI, and a 747-400 ( CN-RGA ) for the Moroccan government
Boeing 737 United States VIP transport B-737BBJ 1[53]
Falcon 20 France VIP transport 2[53]
Falcon 50 France VIP transport 1[53]
Gulfstream II United States VIP transport 1[53]
Gulfstream III United States VIP transport 1[53]
Gulfstream V United States VIP transport Gulfstream V-SP 1[53]
C-27J Spartan Italy transport 4[56]
C-130 Hercules United States transport C-130H 16[53] 2 KC-130Hs provided aerial refueling, 1 EC-130Hs provided ELINT[1]
CASA CN-235 Spain / Indonesia utility / transport 5[53]
Dornier Do-28 Germany STOL utility 2[53]
Super King Air United States utility 200/300/350 8[53]
Helicopters
Eurocopter EC635 European light utility H135M 6[53]
Bell 205 United States utility AB-205A 24[53]
Bell 212 United States utility AB-212 3[56]
Bell 429 United States utility AB-429 4[53]
SA330 Puma France utility / transport 24[53]
CH-47 Chinook United States cargo / transport CH-47D 10[53] former US Army aircraft[59]
Aérospatiale Gazelle France scout / anti-armor SA342 19[53]
AH-64 Apache United States attack AH-64E 24 on order[56]
Trainer aircraft
AS-202 Bravo Switzerland/Italy/Germany light trainer 12[53]
CAP 10 France light trainer 2[53]
T-34 Turbo Mentor United States basic trainer 9[53]
T-37 Tweet United States basic trainer T-37B 14[53]
Alpha Jet Germany / France jet trainer / light attack 19[53]
Super King Air United States multi engine trainer 100 4[56]
T-6 Texan II United States advanced trainer T-6C 24[56]
Bell 206 United States rotor-craft trainer 5[56]
UAV
BAE SkyEye United States reconnaissance 6[60]
IAI Heron Israel reconnaissance 3[61]
Elbit Hermes 900 Israel reconnaissance 4[53]
EADS Harfang France / Israel MALE UAV 3[62]
CAIG Wing Loong China MALE UAV 3[63] donated by the UAE[63]
MQ-9 Reaper United States UCAV Sea Guardian 4[64]
Bayraktar TB2 Turkey MALE UCAV 19[65]
Bayraktar Akıncı Turkey HALE UCAV On order.[65][66]

References

[edit]

Citations

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c International Institute for Strategic Studies (February 2021). The Military Balance 2023. London: Routledge. p. 345.
  2. ^ Judson, Jen (November 20, 2019). "US State Dept. approves $4.25 billion Apache helo sale to Morocco". Defense News.
  3. ^ Cooper, Grandolini & Fontanellaz 2019, p. 4
  4. ^ a b c d Cooper & Grandolini 2018, p. 30
  5. ^ Cooper, Grandolini & Fontanellaz 2019, pp. 24–25
  6. ^ Cooper & Grandolini 2018, pp. 31–32
  7. ^ Cooper & Grandolini 2018, p. 40
  8. ^ Cooper, Grandolini & Fontanellaz 2019, pp. 2, 4
  9. ^ Cooper & Grandolini 2018, p. 32
  10. ^ Cooper & Grandolini 2018, p. 31
  11. ^ Cooper & Grandolini 2018, p. 41
  12. ^ a b Cooper & Grandolini 2018, p. 46
  13. ^ a b "Morocco Takes Delivery of F-16 Jets | Defense News | defensenews.com". archive.ph. 2014-12-23. Archived from the original on 2014-12-23. Retrieved 2021-10-25.
  14. ^ Cooper & Grandolini 2018, pp. 36–38
  15. ^ http://group73historians.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/Secret-Helpers-1973.pdf [permanent dead link]
  16. ^ Cooper, Grandolini & Fontanellaz 2019, pp. 24, III
  17. ^ Cooper, Grandolini & Fontanellaz 2019, pp. 30, 32, 42
  18. ^ Cooper, Grandolini & Fontanellaz 2019, pp. 2, 49–50
  19. ^ Cooper, Grandolini & Fontanellaz 2019, pp. 41, 70
  20. ^ Cooper, Grandolini & Fontanellaz 2019, pp. 54, 61
  21. ^ Cooper, Grandolini & Fontanellaz 2019, pp. 49–50, 53
  22. ^ Cooper, Grandolini & Fontanellaz 2019, pp. 44, 74
  23. ^ Cooper, Grandolini & Fontanellaz 2019, pp. 60–61
  24. ^ Cooper, Grandolini & Fontanellaz 2019, p. VI
  25. ^ Cooper, Grandolini & Fontanellaz 2019, p. 40
  26. ^ Cooper, Grandolini & Fontanellaz 2019, pp. 71, VII
  27. ^ "Moroccan F-16 Carry Out Airstrikes Against ISIS". 10 December 2014. Archived from the original on 23 December 2014. Retrieved 23 December 2014.
  28. ^ "Morocco Sends its F16s to Syria and Iraq to Fight ISIS". The Moroccan Times. December 2014. Retrieved 2014-12-23.
  29. ^ Schmitt, Eric (26 November 2014). "U.S. Adds Planes to Bolster Drive to Wipe Out ISIS". New York Times. Archived from the original on 16 May 2017. Retrieved 3 March 2017.
  30. ^ "Moroccos Air Force Reloads: And Now, The Training". Archived from the original on 2012-10-19. Retrieved 2012-11-20.
  31. ^ "Morocco AF". Archived from the original on 2013-07-19. Retrieved 2012-11-29.
  32. ^ "Fightermodernisationnk3.JPG (289x600 pixels)". img516.imageshack.us. Archived from the original on 21 April 2013. Retrieved 3 February 2022.
  33. ^ http://i61.servimg.com/u/f61/09/01/13/73/sdc10715.jpg [bare URL image file]
  34. ^ "Mirage upgrade augments new fighter force". Arabian Aerospace. 28 April 2010. Retrieved 20 August 2021.
  35. ^ Zecchini, Laurent (27 September 2005). "La France prend en charge la rénovation de l'aviation de combat du Maroc". Le Monde (in French). Retrieved 20 August 2021.
  36. ^ "Arabian Aerospace - Morocco unveils its new kids on the Block".
  37. ^ Dangwal, Ashish (2021-12-17). "Battle Of Stealth Aircraft: Morocco Wants F-35 Fighters To 'Ward Off' Algeria That Plans To Acquire Russian Su-57 Jets". Retrieved 2022-01-24.
  38. ^ Lionel, Ekene. "F-35 Vs Su-57; new stealth aircraft arms race in North Africa". Military Africa.
  39. ^ "Alenia Aeronautica Signs Contract Worth 130 Million Euro to Supply Four C-27Js to Morocco".
  40. ^ "f13.jpg - Click to see more photos". ImageShack. 27 April 2013. Archived from the original on 2013-12-15. Retrieved 2013-04-28.
  41. ^ "Defense World".
  42. ^ "Moroccan CH-47 Chinooks arrive home". 17 August 2015.
  43. ^ "Morocco – F-16 Block 72 New Purchase | The Official Home of the Defense Security Cooperation Agency". www.dsca.mil. Retrieved 2020-05-21.
  44. ^ a b "Marruecos, el mayor comprador de armas estadounidenses en África, más cerca de obtener el sistema de defensa aérea Patriot-noticia defensa.com - Noticias Defensa Africa-Asia-Pacifico". Defensa.com. January 29, 2021.
  45. ^ Guessous, Hamza (2018-10-30). "Morocco to Receive F-16 Fighting Falcon Planes in 2021". Morocco World News. Retrieved 2020-05-21.
  46. ^ "Morocco – F-16 Block 52+ Upgrade to F-16V Configuration | The Official Home of the Defense Security Cooperation Agency". www.dsca.mil. Retrieved 2020-05-21.
  47. ^ Laaboudi, Jalil (2011-01-09). "Crash d'un avion de chasse F5 à Meknès". bladi.net (in French).
  48. ^ "Morocco army helicopter crash kills nine - Story | the Star Online". Archived from the original on 2012-11-16. Retrieved 2012-11-16.
  49. ^ "Moroccan F-16 crashes over Yemen". www.f-16.net. Archived from the original on 2016-02-24. Retrieved 2016-02-08.
  50. ^ "Un avion Mirage F1 monomoteur des Forces Royales Air s'est écrasé lundi au sud de la Base aérienne de Sidi Slimane (communiqué)". lemag.ma. Archived from the original on 2015-08-20. Retrieved 2015-08-20.
  51. ^ "Le Matin - Un Mirage F1 des FAR en mission d'entrainement s'écrase dans la région de Taounate, le pilote sain et sauf". Archived from the original on 2019-01-22. Retrieved 2019-01-22.
  52. ^ a b Ehrenreich, Frederich (1985). "National Security". In Nelson, Harold D. (ed.). Morocco: a country study. Area Handbook (5th ed.). Washington, D.C.: American University. pp. 350–351. LCCN 85600265. Retrieved 16 September 2023.
  53. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z Military Balance 2024. IISS. 2024. ISBN 9781040051153.
  54. ^ "Morocco maintains army modernization plan". The North Africa Post. Retrieved 2020-06-10.
  55. ^ Herk, Hans van (4 December 2020). "First Royal Moroccan Air Force G550 ISR to be delivered next year". www.scramble.nl. Retrieved 2021-06-08.
  56. ^ a b c d e f g Hoyle, Craig (2023). "World Air Forces 2024". FlightGlobal. Retrieved 27 December 2023.
  57. ^ "Morocco bolsters Canadair fleet, Algeria yet to get its first fire-fighter". northafricapost.com. 2022-06-15. Retrieved 2023-07-22.
  58. ^ "World Air Forces 2004 pg. 75". Flightglobal Insight. 2004. Retrieved 28 September 2015.
  59. ^ "Morocco receives CH-47D". AirForces Monthly. Key Publishing. October 2015. p. 22.
  60. ^ "Trade Registers". armstrade.sipri.org. Retrieved 2021-02-05.
  61. ^ "Morocco Acquired IAI's Heron | Israel Defense". 2015-07-15. Archived from the original on 2015-07-15. Retrieved 2021-03-19.
  62. ^ "France has transferred 3 EADS Harfang to Morocco – Alert 5". alert5.com. 4 February 2020. Retrieved 2021-03-19.
  63. ^ a b Defensa.com (2021-01-09). "Marruecos también se ha dotado con UAVs armados chinos Wing Loong 1, captadas las primeras imágenes -noticia defensa.com - Noticias Defensa Africa-Asia-Pacífico". Defensa.com (in Spanish). Retrieved 2021-03-19.
  64. ^ "Morocco gets 4 MQ-9B SeaGuardian drones". Atalayar. 12 December 2020. Retrieved 2021-03-19.
  65. ^ a b Fretay, Halna du. "Morocco Selects Türkiye's Bayraktar Akinci Drone to Modernize Its Fleet". armyrecognition.com. Retrieved 2024-11-12.
  66. ^ Atalayar (2024-11-12). "Morocco will acquire new Turkish Bayraktar drones". Atalayar. Retrieved 2024-11-12.

Bibliography

[edit]
  • Cooper, Tom; Grandolini, Albert (2018). Showdown in Western Sahara, Volume 1: Air Warfare Over the Last African Colony, 1945-1975. Warwick, UK: Helion & Company Publishing. ISBN 978-1-912390-35-9.
  • Cooper, Tom; Grandolini, Albert; Fontanellaz, Adrien (2019). Showdown in Western Sahara, Volume 2: Air Warfare Over the Last African Colony, 1975-1991. Warwick, UK: Helion & Company Publishing. ISBN 978-1-912866-29-8.
[edit]
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