The Royal Moroccan Air Force (RMAF) has officially received its first batch of AH-64E Apache attack helicopters, marking a significant milestone in the country’s ongoing defense modernization efforts.
A formal reception ceremony was held on Monday 3 March, 2025 at the 1st Air Base in Salé to commemorate the arrival of the first batch of six AH-64E Apache helicopters.
Morocco placed an order for 24 AH-64Es in June 2020 under a $440 million contract, following a request made in late 2019. The agreement also includes an option to acquire an additional 12 helicopters from Boeing. The production of these helicopters were started in November 2023.
The deal also includes 551 Hellfire air-to-surface missiles, 200 AIM-92H Stinger air-to-air missiles, and 558 Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System precision-guided rocket kits, Military Africa reported
In 2021, the Royal Moroccan Air Force (RMAF) sent pilots and technicians for training in flying and maintaining the AH-64E Apaches. General Electric Aviation will supply 48 T700-701D turboshaft engines and spare parts for the new fleet. Additionally, Longbow Limited Liability Company, a joint venture between Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman, will provide AN/APG-78 Longbow radars.
Christina Upah, Vice President of attack helicopter programs at Boeing, highlighted the importance of this delivery, emphasizing that the Apaches will strengthen Morocco’s defense capabilities for years to come.
“Boeing’s partnership with the Kingdom of Morocco spans decades, and I am proud the Apache is now part of this legacy,” Upah said in a statement to Morocco World News. She described the AH-64E as “the world’s most advanced, proven attack helicopter.”
Boeing commenced delivery of the Apaches in January 2025, three AH-64E helicopters made an unexpected overnight stop at Midland/Odessa Air Terminal in Texas before continuing their journey to Morocco. The serials of these helicopters are 2403, 2404, and an unknown one.
Boeing has delivered nearly 2,500 Apache helicopters to 16 nations to date, including the U.S., Netherlands, Greece, United Kingdom, Japan, India, Singapore, South Korea and Saudi Arabia.
“This is another step forward in our long partnership with the Kingdom of Morocco,” said Jeff Shockey, Vice President, Global Sales and Marketing, Boeing Defense, Space & Security and Government Services. “Worldwide demand for the Apache is growing and we are proud to provide this best-in-class capability to Morocco.”
Boeing is building the new Moroccan Apaches under a contract with the U.S. Army through the U.S. government’s Foreign Military Sales process. The AH-64E features an improved modern target acquisition designation system that provides day, night and all-weather target information, as well as night vision navigation capability. In addition to classifying ground and air targets, the fire control radar has been updated to operate in a maritime environment.
Apaches can travel at more than 150 knots (278 kilometers per hour), have a wingspan of 14 meters, and a maximum operating weight of 10,433 kilograms.
The first batch of Moroccan Apaches underwent a series of tests and technical checks to ensure the helicopters were fully operational before being put into service with the Royal Air Force. The outlet also reported that 10 of the helicopters have been built.
Morocco has been seeking new attack helicopters for some time. Morocco’s military has no dedicated attack helicopter, instead relying on two dozen Gazelles, which are flown by Army Aviation and the Royal Moroccan Air Force.
Rabat is keen to bolster its military capabilities amid rising regional tensions and boosted its defense budget for 2025 to about $13 billion. The defense budget was $12 billion in 2024 and $11.4 billion in 2023. The country is Africa’s second-largest military spender behind Algeria, which has a 2025 defense budget of $25.1 billion.
The acquisition of the Apaches is part of Morocco’s broader equipment procurement program, which also includes the latest Lockheed Martin F-16 Block 70/72 Fighting Falcons. These new assets will replace older Mirage F1s and Northrop F-5E/F Tiger IIs and augment the F-16C/Ds received from 2011. (Morocco World News; Military Africa; Photo © Boeing)
