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The US State Department has approved the potential sale of High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) and Joint Stand Off Weapons (JSOWs) to Morocco under the US Foreign Military Sales programme, the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) announced on 11 April 2023. The sales have now been forwarded for Congressional approval. 

 The HIMARS sale is worth an estimated USD 524.2 M (EUR 475 M) and covers a Moroccan request for 18 HIMARS launchers, 40 M57 Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) rounds; 36 M31A2 Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS) unitary rounds; 36 M30A2 GMLRS Alternative Warhead rounds; nine M1152A1 High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicles and 18 International Field Artillery Tactical Data Systems (IFATDS). 

Also included are 40 M28A2 Low Cost Reduced Range Practice Rocket Pods; radios with a SINCGARS capability; 35 Vehicular Dual Long-Range Radio Systems with GPS; 24 Single Radio, Long Range Vehicular System with GPS; 18 M1084A2 cargo truck, Family of Medium Tactical Vehicles (FMTV) resupply vehicles; three M1089A2 wrecker truck, FMTV resupply vehicles; 18 M1095 FMTV 5-ton trailers; 23 AN/PYQ-10 Simple Key Loader devices; 50 Defense Advanced Global Positioning System Receivers; and various other items of support and communications equipment, support and logistical services, and spares. 

Morocco has requested to purchase 18 HIMARS launchers from the United States, along with 40 Joint Stand Off Weapons. (Photo: Lockheed Martin)

 The JSOW sale, meanwhile, is worth an estimated USD 250 M and covers a Moroccan request for 40 AGM-154C JSOWs, dummy air training missiles, captive flight vehicles, free flight vehicles, containers; spare and repair parts, and various items of equipment and services in relation to training, programme and logistical support. 

 In both cases the DSCA stated that the proposed sales would help “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”. 

 The DSCA stated that the HIMARS sale would “enhance the interoperability of the [Moroccan] Royal Armed Forces (FAR), which routinely exercise with US forces, focusing on countering terrorism and violent extremist organizations (VEOs) in the Maghreb and Sahel region”.  

Regarding the JSOW sale, the agency said that Morocco intends to use the missiles on its F-16 fighters, which “will provide enhanced capabilities in effective defense of critical sea lanes. The proposed sale of these missiles and support will increase the Royal Moroccan Air Force’s maritime partnership potential and align its capabilities with existing regional baselines.”  

The principal contractors for the HIMARS sale will be Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control, L3 Harris Communications, Raytheon, Cobham, Oshkosh Defense, AAR Corporation, and AM General. The principal contractor for the JSOW sale will be Raytheon Missiles & Defense. 

Peter Felstead