Officials said Morocco, a major non-NATO ally of the United States, has
also requested 50 Joint Direct Attack Munition tail kits, designed to
convert general purpose bombs into precision munitions. They said Morocco
could become the first country in North Africa to receive JDAM.
In 2008, the United States launched a project to supply 24 F-16 Block
52+ multi-role fighters to Morocco. The Pentagon has awarded Lockheed Martin
an indefinite contract that reflected the lack of a formal deal with Rabat.
Other air weapons in the Moroccan package included 20 GBU-24, Paveway-3
kits; 50 GBU-10, Paveway-2 kits; 150 GBU-12, Paveway-2 kits; 60 Enhanced
GBU-12 Paveway-2 bombs and 300 MK-82 training bombs. Morocco also requested
60,000 20 mm training projectiles; 4,000 ALE-47 self-protection chaff; 4,000
ALE-47 self-protection flares and associated equipment and services.
Officials said the Pentagon relayed the Moroccan air weapons request to
Congress on July 9. Congress would have up to 30 days to block the request.
"Morocco is one of the most stable and pro-Western of the Arab states,
and the U.S. remains committed to a long-term relationship with Morocco,"
DSCA said. "The proposed sale will allow the Moroccan Air Force to modernize
its aging fighter inventory, thereby enabling Morocco to support both its
own air defense needs and coalition operations."
The Pentagon said the Royal Moroccan Air Force would have "no
difficulty" absorbing the advanced munitions. DSCA said the proposed weapons
sale would not "affect the basic military balance in the region."
Officials said the principal contractors in the proposed sale would be
Lockheed Martin Aeronautics, Lockheed Martin Missile and Fire Control,
Boeing Integrated Defense Systems and Raytheon Missile Systems.
"There are no known offset agreements in connection with this proposed
sale," DSCA said. "There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness
as a result of this proposed sale."
