Morocco has formally requested to purchase 40 AGM-154 Joint Standoff Weapons (JSOW) from the United States, as well as a range of supporting equipment and services.
The list includes dummy air training missiles, captive flight vehicles, free flight vehicles, containers, mission planning tools, as well as operational weapon flight program software development, among other requests, according to Federal Register.gov, a US government website, Morocco World News reported.
“The estimated total cost is $250 million,” the website detailed in a statement, noting the proposed sale will support the US foreign policy and national security through improving Morocco’s security.
The Federal Register website further emphasized Morocco’s importance, describing it as a major non-NATO ally that “continues to be an important force for political stability and economic progress in North Africa.”
Converging reports said the new purchase will make Morocco the first country to hold such equipment in Africa.
Morocco has been engaged in upgrading its military equipment, with the support of the US, in the country’s desire to strengthen army capacities to end security threats.
According to the statement, Morocco seeks to use the missiles on its F-16 and multi-role fighter aircraft to enhance its capabilities in effective defense of critical sea lanes.
Raytheon Missiles & Defense Company will be the main contractor.
“Implementation of this proposed sale will require annual trips to Morocco involving U.S. Government and contractor representatives for technical reviews, and oversight for approximately seven (7) years,” the statement concluded.
Morocco is one of the major arms imports in Africa. In 2024, Morocco allocated MAD 124.7 billion ($12.88 billion) towards its defense industry.
The US is the leading arms suppliers to Morocco. Earlier this month, US company Oshkosh Defense announced that it received a military order to supply Morocco’s army with heavy equipment transport A1 tractors and 635NL trailers.
The military vehicles provide line haul and local haul capabilities as well as “maintenance evacuation of the heaviest mission-critical equipment including tanks, armored vehicles, and recovery vehicles,” the company said in a statement.
The JSOW® weapon, also called Joint Standoff Weapon, is the U.S. Navy’s newest medium-range, precision strike standoff system. It’s the first air-launched, network-enabled weapon to be used on fourth- and fifth-generation fighter aircraft, as described by Raytheon on its website.
JSOW comprises a family of low-cost, air-to-ground missiles that use a GPS-inertial navigation system and thermal imaging infrared seeker. (US Federal Register; Morocco World News; Raytheon; Photo: An F-16C Fighting Falcon Releases an ACM-154 Joint Standoff Weapon over the Utah Test & Training Range © U.S. Air Force)
