US, Morocco Sign New Defense Roadmap to Deepen Strategic Military Partnership
Rabat, The Gulf Observer: The United States and Morocco have signed a new defense cooperation roadmap, further strengthening their long-standing strategic partnership in the security sector.
US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and senior officials welcomed the agreement, describing it as a significant step in advancing bilateral defense ties. The roadmap, signed at the Pentagon alongside Morocco’s Minister Delegate for Defense Abdellatif Loudiyi and Inspector General of the Royal Armed Forces Mohammed Berrid, is set to guide cooperation between the two countries over the next decade.
US official Elbridge Colby highlighted the historic depth of relations between Washington and Rabat, noting that Morocco was the first country to recognize US independence. He described the agreement as a continuation of more than 250 years of bilateral ties.
Morocco, designated as a major non-NATO ally of the United States, continues to play a key role in regional security cooperation. Both sides expressed satisfaction with the strength of their alliance and reaffirmed their commitment to expanding collaboration in defense and security domains.
The agreement was signed during a high-level visit coinciding with the 14th meeting of the Moroccan-American Defense Consultative Committee. Discussions focused on enhancing interoperability, intelligence sharing, and military coordination to address regional and global security challenges.
The partnership includes regular joint military exercises, notably the “African Lion” drills, the largest annual US-led military exercise in Africa. The most recent edition involved over 10,000 troops from more than 50 countries, including several NATO allies, aimed at strengthening counterterrorism capabilities and regional stability.
Both nations also underscored ongoing preparations for the upcoming African Lion 2026 exercise. In a recent development, US and Moroccan forces conducted their first-ever test of secure encrypted communications, marking a milestone in tactical coordination between the two militaries.
The roadmap builds on a 10-year military cooperation agreement signed in 2020, aimed at addressing evolving security challenges and enhancing Morocco’s defense capabilities. The United States remains Morocco’s largest arms supplier, accounting for a significant share of its military imports in recent years.
Officials from both countries reiterated their commitment to deepening strategic ties and advancing cooperation to promote stability and security across the region.
