Morocco remains in talks with the US over possible F-35 fighter jet sale
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The U.S. and Morocco are still negotiating a possible F-35 deal, with rumours citing an estimated $17B value and up to 32 aircraft under review.
According to Africa Intelligence on October 21, 2025, Washington and Rabat continue discussions on a potential sale of F-35 Lightning II stealth fighters. While unofficial estimates mention a package valued near $17 billion and involving up to 32 aircraft, neither government has confirmed these figures. The negotiations remain active within the Israel Qualitative Military Edge framework, with no finalized deal or delivery timeline announced, but occur amid Algeria’s acquisition of Russian Su-57 Felon fighters.Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link
Powered by a Pratt & Whitney F135 engine producing 191 kilonewtons of thrust with afterburner, the F-35 can reach a maximum speed of about Mach 1.6 and a combat radius near 1,240 kilometers. (Picture source: US Air Force)
As previously reported by Army Recognition, the sale is reportedly valued at more than $17 billion, comprising 32 F-35s and structured to include procurement, training, and long-term maintenance over a 45-year period. The talks, supported by Washington’s diplomatic channels and conducted under the “Israel Qualitative Military Edge” framework, have reached an advanced phase following consultations in Rabat and Washington. Israel has not opposed the deal and may provide limited technical cooperation. Discussions have extended beyond military procurement to include possible Boeing commercial aircraft sales, illustrating a broader aerospace negotiation. Should the agreement be concluded, Morocco would become the first Arab and African country to operate fifth-generation aircraft, integrating low-observability and sensor-fusion capabilities into its Royal Moroccan Air Force. The F-35 was displayed during the 2024 Marrakech Air Show under the High Patronage of King Mohammed VI, symbolizing the depth of ongoing bilateral defense cooperation.
Negotiations reportedly began between 2020 and 2022, when Morocco sought Israeli assistance in gaining U.S. approval. A meeting in November 2021 between Moroccan Defense Minister Abdellatif Loudiyi and Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz was described as pivotal in advancing talks. These exchanges occurred as tensions with Algeria increased over Western Sahara and as Algeria formalized a contract for 14 Su-57 Felon stealth fighters, alongside Su-34 and Su-35 aircraft. Morocco’s objective is to preserve regional parity and offset Algeria’s technological modernization. Analysts consider the F-35 negotiations an extension of the 2020 Abraham Accords normalization, which opened channels for U.S.–Israeli–Moroccan defense coordination. The planned acquisition, if finalized, would anchor Morocco more firmly within the Western defense network while aligning its air-power architecture with NATO standards for interoperability and joint operations.
The F-35 Lightning II is a single-engine, fifth-generation multirole combat aircraft produced by Lockheed Martin, available in A, B, and C variants for conventional, short-takeoff/vertical-landing, and carrier operations, respectively. It is powered by a Pratt & Whitney F135 engine producing 191 kilonewtons of thrust with afterburner, giving a maximum speed of about Mach 1.6 and a combat radius near 1,240 kilometers. Its design integrates radar-absorbent materials, an AN/APG-81 active electronically scanned array radar, an Electro-Optical Targeting System, a Distributed Aperture System providing 360-degree situational awareness, and a helmet-mounted display that replaces a traditional heads-up unit. Armament typically includes AIM-120 AMRAAM and AIM-9X air-to-air missiles, JDAM precision bombs, and JASSM standoff munitions, all carried internally to preserve stealth or externally to expand payload beyond 8,100 kilograms. For Morocco, this configuration would substantially enhance detection range, precision engagement, and integration with existing F-16V Block 72 aircraft.
Morocco’s modernization path has been progressive and multifaceted. Alongside its 23 upgraded F-16s, the country ordered 24 F-16C/D Block 72 Vipers powered by Pratt & Whitney F100-229 engines, supplemented with APG-83 radars, AN/AAQ-33 Sniper pods, AN/ALQ-213 electronic warfare management, and AN/ALQ-211 defensive suites. Two Gulfstream G550 aircraft are being converted by L3 Systems in Texas using Israeli Elta reconnaissance packages, while new Israeli spy satellites add border-monitoring capacity. Air-defense projects under consideration include Patriot PAC-3 MSE batteries and Lockheed Martin and Thales radar systems to establish a multi-layered detection network. The Royal Moroccan Air Force also progresses with orders for 24 AH-64E Apache helicopters, M1A2 SEPv3 Abrams tanks, Bradley infantry vehicles, and MQ-9B SeaGuardian drones. These acquisitions illustrate the shift toward interoperable Western systems aimed at consistent operational and logistical standards across Morocco’s defense inventory.
Algeria’s air modernization remains the main external driver of Rabat’s procurement strategy. Algeria signed a contract in 2019 for 14 Su-57s and 18 Su-35s to complement its Su-30MKA fleet. The Su-57, Russia’s first fifth-generation fighter, employs twin AL-41F1 engines and is reported to achieve supercruise around Mach 1.3 with a combat radius of 1,500 kilometers. It integrates the N036 Byelka radar suite with L-band side arrays, infrared search-and-track sensors, and thrust-vectoring nozzles for agility. In contrast, the F-35’s advantage lies in its stealth profile (~0.001 m² RCS), seamless data-fusion, and network connectivity enabling joint operations with U.S. and NATO partners. Comparative analyses suggest the Su-57 carries up to 10 tonnes of ordnance versus the F-35’s 8.16, but the latter offers superior sensor integration and battlefield networking, particularly for beyond-visual-range engagements. Both fleets are intended to preserve deterrence amid an uneasy regional equilibrium defined by the Western Sahara dispute.
But the introduction of the F-35 Lightning II into Moroccan service would redefine the regional balance of airpower by granting the country capabilities that the Su-57 cannot fully replicate. The F-35’s low radar cross-section and advanced electronic warfare suite would allow it to detect, track, and engage opponents well before being seen, providing a decisive advantage in long-range engagements. Its sensor-fusion system combines radar, infrared, and electronic intelligence into a single operational picture, enabling coordinated target sharing with other platforms and ground systems. Unlike the Su-57, which relies more heavily on maneuverability and speed, the F-35 is designed to operate as part of an integrated network, allowing Moroccan pilots to conduct precision strikes or defensive intercepts while remaining virtually invisible to adversary sensors. This combination of stealth, data integration, and cooperative engagement would shift regional air dominance in Morocco’s favor, giving the Royal Moroccan Air Force the ability to operate inside contested airspace with a significantly lower risk of detection or interception.
The bilateral context between Washington and Rabat extends beyond airpower procurement. African Lion 2025 mobilized over 10,000 personnel and reinforced interoperability, while the 2020–2030 Defense Cooperation Roadmap was reaffirmed in October 2025 to expand industrial partnerships and training. A June 2025 agreement added Moroccan ports to the U.S. Container Security Initiative, facilitating secure trade flows and dual-use logistics. Morocco’s southern regions continue to receive U.S. investment support despite UN deliberations over Western Sahara’s status. Bilateral commerce is framed by the 2006 Free Trade Agreement, revised tariffs in 2025, and Morocco’s Investment Charter promoting industrial projects linked to aerospace and defense. These non-military elements complement the ongoing F-35 negotiations and illustrate Washington’s broader engagement in North Africa through economic and security channels.
Strategically, the F-35 procurement would mark a long-term commitment to U.S. partnership and would affect the regional balance that includes Spain, which is modernizing its Eurofighter Typhoons and participating in the Franco-German Future Combat Air System program. Analysts expect that Morocco’s adoption of fifth-generation aircraft could prompt neighboring states to re-evaluate their own force structures. Morocco’s defense budget increased to $13.32 billion in 2025 while Algeria’s rose to $25.1 billion, reflecting contrasting strategic priorities. Although no formal timeline for delivery has been announced, ongoing negotiations suggest that the Royal Moroccan Air Force could achieve initial F-35 operational readiness around 2035.
Written by Jérôme Brahy
Jérôme Brahy is a defense analyst and documentalist at Army Recognition. He specializes in naval modernization, aviation, drones, armored vehicles, and artillery, with a focus on strategic developments in the United States, China, Ukraine, Russia, Türkiye, and Belgium. His analyses go beyond the facts, providing context, identifying key actors, and explaining why defense news matters on a global scale.
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The U.S. and Morocco are still negotiating a possible F-35 deal, with rumours citing an estimated $17B value and up to 32 aircraft under review.
According to Africa Intelligence on October 21, 2025, Washington and Rabat continue discussions on a potential sale of F-35 Lightning II stealth fighters. While unofficial estimates mention a package valued near $17 billion and involving up to 32 aircraft, neither government has confirmed these figures. The negotiations remain active within the Israel Qualitative Military Edge framework, with no finalized deal or delivery timeline announced, but occur amid Algeria’s acquisition of Russian Su-57 Felon fighters.
Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link
Powered by a Pratt & Whitney F135 engine producing 191 kilonewtons of thrust with afterburner, the F-35 can reach a maximum speed of about Mach 1.6 and a combat radius near 1,240 kilometers. (Picture source: US Air Force)
As previously reported by Army Recognition, the sale is reportedly valued at more than $17 billion, comprising 32 F-35s and structured to include procurement, training, and long-term maintenance over a 45-year period. The talks, supported by Washington’s diplomatic channels and conducted under the “Israel Qualitative Military Edge” framework, have reached an advanced phase following consultations in Rabat and Washington. Israel has not opposed the deal and may provide limited technical cooperation. Discussions have extended beyond military procurement to include possible Boeing commercial aircraft sales, illustrating a broader aerospace negotiation. Should the agreement be concluded, Morocco would become the first Arab and African country to operate fifth-generation aircraft, integrating low-observability and sensor-fusion capabilities into its Royal Moroccan Air Force. The F-35 was displayed during the 2024 Marrakech Air Show under the High Patronage of King Mohammed VI, symbolizing the depth of ongoing bilateral defense cooperation.
Negotiations reportedly began between 2020 and 2022, when Morocco sought Israeli assistance in gaining U.S. approval. A meeting in November 2021 between Moroccan Defense Minister Abdellatif Loudiyi and Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz was described as pivotal in advancing talks. These exchanges occurred as tensions with Algeria increased over Western Sahara and as Algeria formalized a contract for 14 Su-57 Felon stealth fighters, alongside Su-34 and Su-35 aircraft. Morocco’s objective is to preserve regional parity and offset Algeria’s technological modernization. Analysts consider the F-35 negotiations an extension of the 2020 Abraham Accords normalization, which opened channels for U.S.–Israeli–Moroccan defense coordination. The planned acquisition, if finalized, would anchor Morocco more firmly within the Western defense network while aligning its air-power architecture with NATO standards for interoperability and joint operations.
The F-35 Lightning II is a single-engine, fifth-generation multirole combat aircraft produced by Lockheed Martin, available in A, B, and C variants for conventional, short-takeoff/vertical-landing, and carrier operations, respectively. It is powered by a Pratt & Whitney F135 engine producing 191 kilonewtons of thrust with afterburner, giving a maximum speed of about Mach 1.6 and a combat radius near 1,240 kilometers. Its design integrates radar-absorbent materials, an AN/APG-81 active electronically scanned array radar, an Electro-Optical Targeting System, a Distributed Aperture System providing 360-degree situational awareness, and a helmet-mounted display that replaces a traditional heads-up unit. Armament typically includes AIM-120 AMRAAM and AIM-9X air-to-air missiles, JDAM precision bombs, and JASSM standoff munitions, all carried internally to preserve stealth or externally to expand payload beyond 8,100 kilograms. For Morocco, this configuration would substantially enhance detection range, precision engagement, and integration with existing F-16V Block 72 aircraft.
Morocco’s modernization path has been progressive and multifaceted. Alongside its 23 upgraded F-16s, the country ordered 24 F-16C/D Block 72 Vipers powered by Pratt & Whitney F100-229 engines, supplemented with APG-83 radars, AN/AAQ-33 Sniper pods, AN/ALQ-213 electronic warfare management, and AN/ALQ-211 defensive suites. Two Gulfstream G550 aircraft are being converted by L3 Systems in Texas using Israeli Elta reconnaissance packages, while new Israeli spy satellites add border-monitoring capacity. Air-defense projects under consideration include Patriot PAC-3 MSE batteries and Lockheed Martin and Thales radar systems to establish a multi-layered detection network. The Royal Moroccan Air Force also progresses with orders for 24 AH-64E Apache helicopters, M1A2 SEPv3 Abrams tanks, Bradley infantry vehicles, and MQ-9B SeaGuardian drones. These acquisitions illustrate the shift toward interoperable Western systems aimed at consistent operational and logistical standards across Morocco’s defense inventory.
Algeria’s air modernization remains the main external driver of Rabat’s procurement strategy. Algeria signed a contract in 2019 for 14 Su-57s and 18 Su-35s to complement its Su-30MKA fleet. The Su-57, Russia’s first fifth-generation fighter, employs twin AL-41F1 engines and is reported to achieve supercruise around Mach 1.3 with a combat radius of 1,500 kilometers. It integrates the N036 Byelka radar suite with L-band side arrays, infrared search-and-track sensors, and thrust-vectoring nozzles for agility. In contrast, the F-35’s advantage lies in its stealth profile (~0.001 m² RCS), seamless data-fusion, and network connectivity enabling joint operations with U.S. and NATO partners. Comparative analyses suggest the Su-57 carries up to 10 tonnes of ordnance versus the F-35’s 8.16, but the latter offers superior sensor integration and battlefield networking, particularly for beyond-visual-range engagements. Both fleets are intended to preserve deterrence amid an uneasy regional equilibrium defined by the Western Sahara dispute.
But the introduction of the F-35 Lightning II into Moroccan service would redefine the regional balance of airpower by granting the country capabilities that the Su-57 cannot fully replicate. The F-35’s low radar cross-section and advanced electronic warfare suite would allow it to detect, track, and engage opponents well before being seen, providing a decisive advantage in long-range engagements. Its sensor-fusion system combines radar, infrared, and electronic intelligence into a single operational picture, enabling coordinated target sharing with other platforms and ground systems. Unlike the Su-57, which relies more heavily on maneuverability and speed, the F-35 is designed to operate as part of an integrated network, allowing Moroccan pilots to conduct precision strikes or defensive intercepts while remaining virtually invisible to adversary sensors. This combination of stealth, data integration, and cooperative engagement would shift regional air dominance in Morocco’s favor, giving the Royal Moroccan Air Force the ability to operate inside contested airspace with a significantly lower risk of detection or interception.
The bilateral context between Washington and Rabat extends beyond airpower procurement. African Lion 2025 mobilized over 10,000 personnel and reinforced interoperability, while the 2020–2030 Defense Cooperation Roadmap was reaffirmed in October 2025 to expand industrial partnerships and training. A June 2025 agreement added Moroccan ports to the U.S. Container Security Initiative, facilitating secure trade flows and dual-use logistics. Morocco’s southern regions continue to receive U.S. investment support despite UN deliberations over Western Sahara’s status. Bilateral commerce is framed by the 2006 Free Trade Agreement, revised tariffs in 2025, and Morocco’s Investment Charter promoting industrial projects linked to aerospace and defense. These non-military elements complement the ongoing F-35 negotiations and illustrate Washington’s broader engagement in North Africa through economic and security channels.
Strategically, the F-35 procurement would mark a long-term commitment to U.S. partnership and would affect the regional balance that includes Spain, which is modernizing its Eurofighter Typhoons and participating in the Franco-German Future Combat Air System program. Analysts expect that Morocco’s adoption of fifth-generation aircraft could prompt neighboring states to re-evaluate their own force structures. Morocco’s defense budget increased to $13.32 billion in 2025 while Algeria’s rose to $25.1 billion, reflecting contrasting strategic priorities. Although no formal timeline for delivery has been announced, ongoing negotiations suggest that the Royal Moroccan Air Force could achieve initial F-35 operational readiness around 2035.
Written by Jérôme Brahy
Jérôme Brahy is a defense analyst and documentalist at Army Recognition. He specializes in naval modernization, aviation, drones, armored vehicles, and artillery, with a focus on strategic developments in the United States, China, Ukraine, Russia, Türkiye, and Belgium. His analyses go beyond the facts, providing context, identifying key actors, and explaining why defense news matters on a global scale.
