The Royal Moroccan Navy has welcomed a new addition to its fleet with the delivery of the Avante 1800 offshore patrol vessel, constructed by the Spanish shipbuilding company Navantia. This handover occurred at Navantia’s San Fernando shipyard in southern Spain, a location that has become a focal point for this collaborative project between Spain and Morocco. Accompanying the vessel, Morocco has received a thorough technical support package, encompassing spare parts, tools, manuals, and training for its naval personnel, ensuring the crew is well-prepared to operate and maintain this advanced ship.
This vessel, a compact yet multi-role corvette, is designed to tackle a variety of missions vital to Morocco’s maritime interests. It will play a key role in safeguarding the nation’s exclusive economic zones through surveillance and maintaining control over strategic maritime regions. Construction of the Avante 1800 began in July 2023, following a series of negotiations and agreements that reflect the deepening defense ties between the two countries.
The Avante 1800 stretches 87 meters in length, or about 285 feet, with a beam of 13 meters, roughly 43 feet, and can house a crew of up to 60 people. Its stealthy hull design minimizes radar detection, a feature that enhances its operational effectiveness in potentially contested waters. The onboard systems are crafted for simplicity in operation and maintenance, allowing the ship to perform reliably even with fewer crew members. Powered by diesel engines, the vessel achieves a practical balance of endurance and efficiency, making it suitable for both coastal patrols and missions further out at sea.
Equipped with cutting-edge technology, the Avante 1800 boasts a 3D surveillance radar, electro-optical sensors, electronic warfare capabilities, and an integrated combat management system. These systems provide the crew with a clear picture of their surroundings and the means to respond swiftly to emerging threats. The ship’s armament includes a medium-caliber naval gun, missile launchers capable of engaging air and surface targets, and close-in defense systems for protection at shorter ranges. At the rear, a flight deck enables the operation of a medium-sized helicopter, extending the vessel’s reach for reconnaissance and rapid response.
Navantia president Ricardo Domínguez described this delivery as a “testimony of the shared commitment between Spain and Morocco for security and technological excellence,” a sentiment that captures the spirit of this bilateral effort. The financial backing for this project came partly from a $92 million loan provided by the Spanish bank Santander Group in 2022. Morocco formalized this arrangement with Santander on August 31, 2022, to support the commercial agreement between its National Defence Administration and Navantia.
Morocco first showed interest in Navantia’s offshore patrol vessels in early 2020, but progress was hampered by a political disagreement over Morocco’s intention to extend its territorial waters, a move that stirred concerns in Spain. Despite this, the Royal Moroccan Navy pressed forward, signing a contract with Navantia in January 2021 for two Avante-class offshore patrol vessels at a total cost of around 260 million euros, which included a maintenance agreement. A team from Navantia traveled to Morocco to hash out the technical and commercial details, working closely with Moroccan officials to tailor the ship to the navy’s specific needs.
The construction journey faced its share of challenges. Navantia began building the Avante 1800 in Spain in January 2021, but the project hit snags due to diplomatic friction between Spain and Morocco. This tension stemmed from Spain’s decision in 2021 to provide medical treatment to Polisario leader Brahim Ghali, a move that strained relations. Spain’s far-right party Vox brought the issue to the Spanish Congress of Deputies, seeking clarity on the Avante 1800’s manufacturing status. The government’s response was vague, stating only that “the contract is in force” and that the ship had “begun the process of acquiring its main equipment.”
By September 6, 2024, the project reached a turning point when the keel was laid for the Avante 1800 at the San Fernando Shipyard, specifically on harrow number three. This step marked a critical phase in the vessel’s construction, which is projected to demand over one million hours of labor from both the shipyard and its supporting industries. Earlier, on July 3, 2023, a steel-cutting ceremony had taken place at the same shipyard in Cadiz, Spain, signaling the start of the physical build based on Navantia’s Avante 1800 design.
The Avante 1800 will carry a formidable array of weaponry, including 76 mm and 35 mm cannons, as well as 12.7 mm machine guns. Its aft deck is equipped to support helicopter and small boat operations, adding to its operational flexibility. This vessel is built to handle an impressive range of tasks, from coastal surveillance and maritime traffic protection to health assistance, firefighting, pollution control, personnel and provisions transport, search and rescue operations, rapid intervention, frogmen support, surface defense, and passive electronic warfare.
Beyond its military contributions, the construction of the Avante 1800 is a boon for the local economy. It is expected to generate one million hours of work for the shipyard and create 250 jobs over the next three and a half years. This economic impact underscores the broader value of the project, strengthening Morocco’s naval capabilities while supporting employment in Spain.
Navantia’s relationship with the Royal Moroccan Navy is not new; the company supplied patrol boats and a corvette to Morocco in the 1980s. The Avante 1800 draws inspiration from designs like the Buque de Vigilancia de Litoral (BVL), ordered alongside four POVZEE / Avante 2200 Combatants by the Bolivarian Navy of Venezuela in 2005. While the vessel can accommodate a crew of up to 60, Navantia notes it can operate with as few as 35 sailors, reflecting its efficient design.
The delivery of the Avante 1800 to the Royal Moroccan Navy stands as a testament to the resilience of Spain and Morocco’s partnership. Overcoming diplomatic hurdles and technical challenges, this vessel represents a step forward in Morocco’s ability to secure its maritime borders and contribute to regional stability, all while fostering economic growth and technological collaboration across the Strait of Gibraltar.
