HIBAPRESS – Shafiq Anouri
A report by a website specializing in military affairs confirmed that the introduction of advanced "AH-64E Apache Guardian" attack helicopters into the arsenal of the Royal Armed Forces represents a qualitative and historical shift in Morocco's offensive air capabilities.
The report, published by the "Defensa" website, stated that this development comes after decades of Morocco relying on a fleet of French-made "Gazelle" helicopters, which formed the backbone of air support capabilities during the Sahara War in the eighties of the last century. It added that Morocco's receipt of the first "Apache" helicopters, numbering 24, with the option to purchase another 12, and their initial deployment at the air base in Ben Guérir, opens a new page in the kingdom's air warfare tactics, noting that these helicopters represent the pinnacle of Western technology in the field of air attack, due to the combination of great firepower, advanced sensing systems, and high survivability in difficult combat environments. The "Defensa" website pointed out that the armament of the Moroccan helicopters includes a 30mm "M230 Chain Gun" cannon, capable of firing more than 600 rounds per minute with high accuracy, in addition to "AGM-114 Hellfire" anti-tank missiles, "APKWS" laser-guided projectiles, as well as "AIM-92H Stinger" missiles designed for close air defense. The report considered that this heavy arsenal gives Morocco a significant tactical advantage compared to the limited capabilities of drones, adding that the most prominent strength of the "Apache" lies in the "M-TADS/Arrowhead" targeting and night vision system, which allows high accuracy in identifying targets at night and during the day, in addition to the "AN/APG-78 Longbow" radar, capable of tracking 128 targets simultaneously, and attacking the most dangerous targets from a distance of up to 16 kilometers. It added that the helicopter's design takes into account crew protection thanks to strong armor and "ASE" electronic warfare systems, which include missile and radar warning devices, jamming systems, and countermeasures, which enhances its ability to survive in the field. The report warned that "General Electric T700-701D" engines give it excellent performance in harsh desert conditions, with a speed of up to 300 kilometers per hour and an operational range of about 480 kilometers, noting that despite the advanced capabilities of the helicopter, it remains vulnerable to the threats of "MANPADS" portable air defense systems, which requires cautious tactics that rely on fighting from long distances using guided missiles and long-range radar to reduce the risk of direct targeting. The same source also indicated that the total cost of the deal amounted to about $4.25 billion, and that the operating cost is relatively high, which makes the logistical and technical aspect a pivotal factor in the success of the Moroccan program, highlighting that Rabat is working on developing its industrial capabilities in the field of maintenance and rehabilitation through "offset" agreements signed with "Boeing", with the aim of transferring expertise and training qualified local technical crews. It also noted that the maximum flight duration of the helicopter does not exceed three hours, which makes coordination with drones necessary to increase operational effectiveness. According to the report, cooperation between "Apache" helicopters and unmanned aerial vehicles "UAV" represents a promising future within the "MUM-T" strategy, where helicopters can rely on drones to carry out advanced reconnaissance and target identification without exposing themselves to danger, while the "Apache" intervenes later with its decisive firepower. In this context, the website recalled Morocco's experience with "Gazelle" helicopters during the Sahara War, as they played a pivotal role in battles such as "Smara" in 1983, before recent developments revealed the limitations of their capabilities in the face of contemporary threats, which made the transition to "Apache" a strategic step to enhance deterrence and defense. The "Defensa" website concluded its analysis by emphasizing that Morocco's possession of "Apache" helicopters will change the nature of any potential confrontation with the "Polisario", as well as give it a tactical advantage in the event of tension with Algeria, before concluding that the Moroccan "Apache" program constitutes a long-term strategic investment, which will redefine the offensive and defensive capabilities of the Kingdom in the coming years.
