Forecast, in a Dec. 20 report, did not specify Morocco's defense budget.
The Newtown, Conn.-based firm said Morocco represented a 13 percent increase
in African defense spending from 2005 to 2009.
"Algeria and Morocco have leveraged economic gains to acquire new
aircraft and warships, while procurement trends in South Africa are shifting
toward ground force modernization," the report said.
Over the last three years, Morocco has ordered the F-16 multi-role
fighter and T-6A air trainer from the United States as well frigates from
the Netherlands. Rabat was also said to have procured advanced
communications and security systems from Western defense majors.
In 2006, Algeria launched an $8 billion military modernization project
headed by Russia. The Algerian project has included the procurement of the
Su-30 fighter, Yak-130 air trainer and T-90 main battle tank.
Forecast said Algeria's defense projects were financed from energy
revenues. The report said Libya and Sudan were also using energy revenue for
major military deals.
"This surge in revenue has provided an opportunity for African
governments to support much-needed military acquisition and improvement
programs, resulting in defense spending growth that has significantly
outpaced that of non-petrostates," Forecast said.
Forecast said African defense spending would slow down over the next few
years. The report envisioned an increase in African defense spending by more
than three percent annually through 2014.
"This cooling trend can be explained by the fact that Africa's overall
market growth over the past five years has been driven primarily by a small
number of key players," Forecast report author Shaun McDougall, said.
"Though less affluent nations have come to rely a great deal on security
assistance, the top tier spenders in the region will continue to drive the
market as a whole."