Recent media reports from Israel indicate that Morocco is advancing in its plans to acquire Lockheed Martin’s fifth-generation F-35 Lighting II stealth fighter jets. According to the Israeli newspaper Identité Juive, Morocco is set to become the first Arab and African country to procure U.S. F-35 fighter jets, marking a significant milestone in its military modernization efforts.
The publication reports that within a few months, the Moroccan military will receive an official document, authorized by both Israel and the Pentagon, confirming the acquisition of the first F-35 fighter jet. The deal is expected to include 32 stealth F-35 aircraft, with an overall cost exceeding $17 billion. This acquisition represents a substantial leap in the modernization of Morocco’s air force, which currently relies mainly on fourth-generation fighters like the F-16.
Negotiations for the deal began as early as 2020, with Morocco seeking Israel’s assistance to expedite the process and navigate political and administrative barriers with U.S. authorities. Central to these efforts is the increasing tension with neighboring Algeria, which supports the Polisario Front in the ongoing conflict over the disputed Western Sahara. In this context, Morocco’s acquisition of the F-35 is aimed not only at modernizing its air force but also at securing a strategic advantage against potential threats.
In 2022, Israeli Minister of Defence Benny Gantz revealed that his Moroccan counterpart, Abdellatif Loudiyi, asked for Israel’s help in convincing the Biden administration to authorize the sale of F-35s to Morocco and in obtaining more advanced weaponry. Algeria’s preparation to deploy high-tech military platforms, including Russian-made Su-57 fighters, underscores the critical nature of the F-35 deal for Morocco.
Regional Implications and Military Balance
Algeria’s order for Su-57 and Su-35 fighter jets from Russia, alongside its existing fleet of Su-30MKA fighters, poses a direct challenge to NATO-aligned countries like Morocco. The Su-57 features advanced stealth technology, exceptional maneuverability, and cutting-edge avionics designed to challenge modern Western platforms like the F-35. This growing military capability in Algeria has prompted Morocco to seek advanced fighters like the F-35 to maintain a balance of power.
Israeli media reports suggest that the UAE has offered to cover the cost of the F-35 jets if the United States approves the sale. The latest generation of the F-35 multirole fighter is estimated to cost at least $78 million per unit. Experts believe that Morocco’s improved ties with the U.S. and Israel could facilitate the acquisition.
The F-35 deal with Lockheed Martin is part of a broader shift in regional alliances. While Morocco moves closer to the West and Israel, Algeria continues to maintain its strong relationship with Russia. This growing divide between the two North African powers has implications not only for military affairs but also for broader diplomatic and economic dynamics in the Mediterranean and North Africa.
The acquisition will deepen Morocco’s strategic alignment with Israel and the U.S., further isolating Algeria in the region and potentially altering the trajectory of the long-standing Western Sahara conflict. As other nations in the region seek to modernize their forces in response to Morocco’s newfound air superiority, the region could witness a new wave of arms races.
F-35 Overview
The F-35, developed by Lockheed Martin, is a family of fifth-generation stealth multirole fighters designed for a wide range of missions, from air superiority to precision strike. It is equipped with advanced stealth features that reduce its radar cross-section, making it difficult to detect by enemy radars.
The F-35 comes in three primary variants: the F-35A, a conventional takeoff and landing (CTOL) version; the F-35B, a short takeoff and vertical landing (STOVL) model; and the F-35C, a carrier-based version designed for naval operations. These variants share a common airframe but have modifications specific to their roles, such as the F-35B’s lift fan for vertical landings and the F-35C’s reinforced landing gear for carrier operations.
The F-35 is powered by the Pratt & Whitney F135 engine, providing a top speed of over Mach 1.6. It has a combat radius of around 669 nautical miles, depending on the variant, and can carry a range of air-to-air and air-to-ground weapons. The F-35 features a state-of-the-art sensor suite, including the AN/APG-81 radar, which provides advanced targeting and situational awareness.
