The Moroccan air force is about to significantly enhance its air defense capabilities with the imminent arrival of advanced F-16 Block 70/72 fighter jets, Barlamane.com reported.
The acquisition is valued at around USD 4.8 billion. It includes a fleet of 24 aircraft equipped with advanced radar technologies and weapons systems.
The F-16 Block 70/72, also known as the Viper, is a fourth-generation multi-role fighter aircraft manufactured by American company Lockheed Martin. It boasts advanced technical features, including an active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar that greatly improves target detection and tracking.
The jets can carry a wide range of weaponry, including missiles and guided bombs, which makes them extremely versatile on the battlefield.
Morocco is one of the first countries in the Mediterranean region to acquire this advanced version of the Viper fighter jets, which are expected to arrive in the coming weeks.
Since 2021, the Moroccan Air Force has been modernizing its infrastructure to accommodate the arrival of its F-16 Block 72 fleet.
Two key projects are underway: the first focuses on the fifth airbase in Benslimane, where new systems are being implemented, including an aircraft arresting system that uses crushable material placed at the end of a runway to help stop an aircraft that overruns the runway end, a safety management system, a maintenance facility for engine testing, and dedicated areas for simulator training and secure storage.
The second project involves constructing a highly specialized facility for the secure storage of sensitive data and combat equipment, considered vital for protecting the strategic and operational information related to F-16 Block 72.