The US State Department has approved a potential foreign military sale of FIM-92K Stinger Block I missiles, estimated to cost $825m (Dh7.7bn), to Morocco.
This move aims to bolster Morocco’s air defence systems and support US foreign policy.
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The primary contractors will be RTX and Lockheed Martin.
The Defense Security Cooperation Agency has submitted the necessary certification to Congress today, notifying them of the potential sale.
Morocco has expressed its intent to acquire up to 600 FIM-92K Stinger Block I missiles to upgrade its armed forces and enhance its current army short-range air defence capabilities.
The sale also includes non-major defence equipment items such as US government and contractor support services, crucial for logistics and programme support.
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By GlobalDataThe upgrade is part of Morocco’s efforts to maintain political stability and economic progress within North Africa, aligning with the US’s interest in supporting a major non-Nato ally.
The integration of the Stinger missiles is anticipated to improve Morocco’s military interoperability with the US and other allies, without disrupting the military balance in the region.
The Moroccan Army is claimed to be well-equipped to incorporate this new equipment into its existing forces.
The Stinger Man-Portable Air Defence System (MANPADS) is designed for quick deployment by ground forces.
The shoulder-fired, fire-and-forget Stinger SAM system uses a rolling airframe canard control concept. It requires a two-person team for operation and is capable of functioning in different conditions.
Last year, the Nato Support and Procurement Agency signed a contract to procure 940 FIM-92K Stinger Block I Missiles from RTX for Germany, Italy, and the Netherlands, at a value of $780m.
This contract, part of the Stinger Support Partnership, was facilitated by a US State Department FMS approval in December 2023.
The FIM-92K model, which has been provided to Germany, Italy, and the Netherlands, incorporates a vehicle data link for target acquisition instead of relying on the missile’s integrated seeker.
