The U.S. State Department has approved a possible sale of up to 600 FIM-92K Stinger Block I air defense missiles, with a total estimated cost of $825 million to the Kingdom of Morocco.
The Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) delivered the required congressional notification on Tuesday.
According to DSCA, the proposed deal includes not only the shoulder-fired missiles but also associated engineering, logistics, and technical support from both the U.S. government and private contractors. The package aims to strengthen Morocco’s short-range air defense capabilities and improve its interoperability with American and allied forces.
“This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security of the United States by helping to improve the security of a major non-NATO ally,” the DSCA said in a statement, emphasizing Morocco’s ongoing role in maintaining political stability and economic progress in North Africa.
The FIM-92K Stinger Block I is a man-portable air-defense system (MANPADS) with proven effectiveness against low-flying aircraft and drones. Widely used by U.S. and allied forces, it is designed to provide mobile, short-range air defense in high-threat environments.
Morocco plans to use the systems to modernize its armed forces and bolster its ground-based air defense units. Moroccan authorities view this potential acquisition as a significant advancement for their very short-range air defense (SHORAD) capabilities, addressing evolving modern threats.
“This sale will improve Morocco’s capability to meet current and future threats,” the DSCA stated. “Morocco will have no difficulty absorbing this equipment into its armed forces.”
The primary contractors will be RTX Corporation, headquartered in Tucson, Arizona, and Lockheed Martin, based in Syracuse, New York. No offset agreements have been disclosed at this time, though any such arrangements would be determined during future negotiations between Morocco and the manufacturers.
The agency confirmed that no U.S. personnel would be required to deploy to Morocco as part of the sale, and that the transaction would not impact U.S. defense readiness.
Morocco is worried about Iranian drones acquired by Algeria for use by the Polisario guerrilla fighters.
At the end of 2022, Moroccan Senior Officials highlighted Iran and Algeria’s new alliance along with statements made by Iranian officials about the sale of drones to Algeria as part of a significant arms deal. Senior officials from the Kingdom have also highlighted statements made by Polisario Front about the receipt of drones and other weapons from Algeria, along with training and the development of infrastructure to operate them.
Late 2022, the separatist Polisario Front threatened to use military drones against Morocco’s Royal Armed Forces stationed along the Western Sahara defence wall. The announcement came as the Polisario’s leader Brahim Ghali was preparing to launch a military movement from Tindouf for the front’s “war of attrition” against Morocco.
