Congress was notified today of US plans for a $62 million sale of anti-ship missiles for Morocco that would be launched from F-16 aircraft.
Congress was notified today of US plans for aย $62 million saleย of anti-ship missiles for Morocco. Rabat hasย sought to buy 10 Harpoon Block II air-launched missiles, which includeย support equipment, personnel training and technical assistance.
Why it matters:ย Morocco intends to use the missiles on its F-16 fighter aircraft.
โThis 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 that continues to be an important force for political stability and economic progress in North Africa,โ the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency said in a statement. โThe proposed sale of the missiles and support will increase the Moroccan Air Forceโs maritime partnership potential and align its capabilities with existing regional baselines.โ
Whatโs next:ย The Defense Security Cooperation Agencyโs congressional notification of the sale paves the way for the transactionย to move forward. Congress has not attempted to block arms sales for Morocco, a close US partner, in recent years.
Morocco has taken an increasingly assertive role in African politics in recent years.