Historical Context and Strategic Vision
The FAR were established following the visionary leadership of the late King Mohammed V, who, upon Morocco regaining its independence, tasked the late King Hassan II, then Crown Prince, with forming the initial core of the FAR. In the 21st century, King Mohammed VI's High Solicitude for the Moroccan army marks a distinctive era of modernization and strategic realignment. The Sovereign has adopted an approach aimed at building a robust army capable of addressing contemporary challenges such as regional instability, terrorism, and the complex demands of international peacekeeping missions. The past year has been a perfect manifestation of this strategic vision, marked by the FAR's distinguished presence on several fronts, particularly through military service, remarkable support to Al Haouz earthquake victims and populations affected by inclement weather, the deployment of field hospitals, and terrestrial and aerial rescue units. These efforts include setting up shelters, providing food aid to disaster victims, and participating in humanitarian missions and peacekeeping operations in various regions worldwide.
One of the most notable aspects of King Mohammed VI's reforms has been the significant modernization of military capabilities, characterized by strategic and diversified military acquisitions. For instance, the Kingdom acquired 18 "HIMARS" missile launch systems and plans to purchase 40 "AGM-154C JSOW" bombs for its F-16 fleet. This acquisition strategy enhances Morocco's long-range precision strike capabilities, essential in modern warfare. Additionally, Morocco's military arsenal has expanded with advanced drone technology, acquiring "PULS" rocket launch systems and "SpyX" stealth drones from Israel, and integrating Chinese "Wing Loong II" drones. This diversification of suppliers not only improves the country's surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities but also strengthens its defensive posture.
In naval power, the Kingdom is actively exploring the acquisition of advanced anti-missile systems, considering options from Israel and Singapore. These enhancements aim to bolster its capabilities to secure its territorial waters, a vital defense domain given the strategic maritime routes along the North African coast.
Similarly, the Royal Air Force has benefited from significant upgrades, with the acquisition of H-135M helicopters and the anticipated arrival of 24 Apache AH-64E helicopters from Boeing, greatly improving the operational capabilities of the Air Force and enhancing both its defensive and offensive operations.
Driven by a spirit of discipline and dedication, Morocco's FAR actively engage in international peacekeeping operations, deploying numerous contingents under UN auspices in various countries, reflecting their commitment to defending universal values of peace and solidarity.
The Kingdom has also played a key role in creating a specialized group to combat hate speech and disinformation targeting UN peacekeepers. In this regard, Rabat has chaired the Coordinating Group of the Non-Aligned Movement on UN peacekeeping for several years, based in New York.
Recognized as one of the top ten contributors to UN peacekeeping operations, Morocco recently reaffirmed its commitment at the Ministerial Conference on Peacekeeping held in Accra on December 5-6. On this occasion, the country expressed its determination to continue supporting, renewing, and adapting the policy frameworks of these missions, in line with King Mohammed VI's elevated vision.
Additionally, the establishment of a Peacekeeping Operations Center of Excellence in Benslimane underscores Morocco's commitment to international peace efforts, offering training in critical areas such as civilian protection and combating disinformation.
Strategic Defense Reorganization
The strategic reorganization of the Moroccan army in recent years represents a significant and calculated transformation to meet national and regional security demands while optimizing operational flexibility and response times to threats. These structural changes reflect a deliberate effort to streamline command and control structures, aligning with modern military operation standards.
Furthermore, the reinforcement of the FAR along the border with Algeria indicates a robust defense strategy, spurred by increasing political tensions and heightened threats from the Algerian regime following incidents such as the death of truck drivers in the buffer zone. The increased deployment of military units, including infantry, artillery, and armored forces in key eastern cities, highlights a deliberate strengthening of Morocco's defensive capabilities, illustrating a preventive response to armed conflict threats and reflecting a genuine commitment to maintaining an enhanced security posture in response to regional geopolitical dynamics.
Overall, this reorganization of the FAR fits within a broader framework of preparation and deterrence, essential for maintaining stability and protecting national interests in an uncertain regional environment. It marks the evolution of the FAR into a more agile, responsive, and strategically adapted force to contemporary challenges.
The development of human capital within Morocco's army illustrates a proactive and modern strategy under King Mohammed VI's reign, aiming to enhance the army's effectiveness and operational capacity. This approach emphasizes the increased importance of education and specialized training, as evidenced by the expansion of military educational institutions and the introduction of innovative training in cyber defense and telemedicine. Additionally, gender inclusion and the promotion of women within the FAR are not only measures of equity but are also seen as levers to enrich strategic and operational capabilities, aligning the FAR with international standards of diversity and inclusivity.
Moreover, the initiative to create the Royal Center for Defense Studies and Research, announced on the 67th anniversary of the FAR, underscores a commitment to continuously improving analytical skills, both civilian and military. This center aims to integrate a strategic approach in managing defense issues, marking a significant step towards a more thoughtful and informed army.
Additionally, on the 68th anniversary of the FAR, King Mohammed VI gave High Instructions to initiate a comprehensive evaluation of training curricula and military training programs for all military personnel at all levels, to inject new dynamism into teaching systems and supports, adapting them to new changes, while adopting renewed thinking and innovative methods in scientific, technological, and artificial intelligence fields.
These collective efforts demonstrate a strategic investment in human capital, essential for navigating the complex global security landscape while ensuring that the FAR remain robust, responsive, and adapted to contemporary and future challenges.
Bilateral and Multilateral Relations
Under the enlightened leadership of King Mohammed VI, the FAR play a crucial role in deploying the Kingdom's military diplomacy. At the multilateral level, the FAR actively contribute to UN peacekeeping missions, illustrating Morocco's commitment to proactive diplomacy oriented towards promoting international peace and stability. This approach aligns with the royal vision advocating for continuous involvement in peace efforts, demonstrating the scope and depth of Moroccan influence on regional and global stages.
On the bilateral level, Morocco has strategically developed strong partnerships with major global actors, including Western powers such as the United States and France, as well as influential Gulf nations. The defense partnership with Brazil, which encompasses joint training and knowledge sharing on military operations, is a prime example. Furthermore, the involvement of Moroccan units under UAE command in the coalition against Daesh highlights Morocco's responsiveness to regional dynamics. Additionally, collaboration with Mauritania on contemporary challenges, such as combating terrorism and securing borders, reinforces this pragmatic and effective defense diplomacy.
These partnerships materialize through joint military exercises and defensive cooperation programs that transcend formal agreements, reflecting a dynamic and thoughtful Moroccan military diplomacy. Moreover, this diplomacy is essential not only for Morocco's foreign policy but also for strengthening its international ties and improving its national security. Additionally, Morocco's continued engagement in multilateral initiatives and its active role in various international organizations demonstrate its dedication to the peaceful resolution of conflicts, positioning the country as a key player in building a harmonious and peaceful global future.
In sum, the strategic reforms undertaken by King Mohammed VI, Supreme Commander and Chief of the General Staff of the Royal Armed Forces, have profoundly transformed the FAR, equipping them to face conventional and asymmetric threats. As Morocco continues to navigate the complex terrain of modern geopolitics, the vision and ongoing reforms of King Mohammed VI ensure that the Kingdom remains well-prepared to meet the challenges of the 21st century.