HIBAPRESS – Chafiq Anouri
The deal for the United States of America to sell 25 F-16 Block aircraft to Morocco is close to entering the delivery phase, after a long delay in the file.
The Africa Intelligence website, specializing in African affairs, revealed that the American-Moroccan discussions regarding the acquisition of F-16 fighter jets have progressed and have been reactivated recently. The source said that the deal, which includes the sale of 25 F-16 Block 70/72 aircraft worth approximately $3.8 billion, is the subject of an old deal approved in 2019, but implementation did not begin until 2024. The website added that the delay in the delivery of these aircraft was the focus of a visit in late September to Washington by the Inspector General of the Royal Air Force, General Mohamed Guedih, and the Commander of the Royal Armed Forces, General Mohamed Braid, where they met with the Chief of Staff of the US Air Force, General David Allwein. According to the same source, this visit had two goals: "Assessing the progress of the delivery of F-16 aircraft, and following up on the maintenance factory project in Morocco," adding that "on the industrial level, the two representatives sought to obtain clarifications regarding the progress of the spare parts manufacturing facility." The French website specializing in African affairs clarified that the establishment of this facility is expected to allow "the manufacture of components and equipment related to F-16 fighter jets inside Morocco," and that the factory will respond "partially to Morocco's desire to strengthen its integration within the global value chain of the aviation industry." Since then, the same source confirms, "developments have accelerated," and Lockheed Martin, in partnership with the Belgian company "Sabena Engineering" and the Moroccan company "MedZ" affiliated with the Deposit and Management Fund (CDG), began establishing an aviation maintenance center in Benslimane, about 50 kilometers from Casablanca, on October 16.
