The Royal Moroccan Armed Forces is set to receive the first three AH-64E Apache combat helicopters purchased from the United States.
Morocco in June 2020 ordered 24 AH-64Es in a deal worth $440 million after requesting the aircraft in late 2019. The agreement includes an option to purchase 12 additional choppers made by Boeing.
Christina Upah, vice president of attack helicopter programs at Boeing, said the helicopters will enhance Morocco’s defense forces “for years to come.”
“Boeing’s partnership with the Kingdom of Morocco spans decades, and I am proud the Apache is now part of this legacy,” Upah told Morocco World News, saying the Apache is “the world’s most advanced, proven attack helicopter.”
A report by the Moroccan Military Forum, or Far-Maroc, an online platform that covers the Moroccan Armed Forces, said the helicopter is known for combat effectiveness and is equipped with “cutting-edge military technologies.”
According to The Defense Post, the deal also includes 551 Hellfire air-to-surface missiles, 200 AIM-92H Stinger air-to-air missiles, and 558 Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System precision-guided rocket kits.
The Hellfire is a laser-guided, subsonic tactical missile used to target armored vehicles, including tanks, bunkers, radar systems and antennas, communications equipment, soft targets, and hovering helicopters. It has 12 variants, according to The Defense Post. Originally designed for helicopters, it can now be launched from air, sea and ground platforms.
Boeing is building the new Moroccan Apaches under a contract with the U.S. Army through the U.S. government’s Foreign Military Sales process. The AH-64E features an improved modern target acquisition designation system that provides day, night and all-weather target information, as well as night vision navigation capability. In addition to classifying ground and air targets, the fire control radar has been updated to operate in a maritime environment.
Apaches can travel at more than 150 knots (278 kilometers per hour), have a wingspan of 14 meters, and a maximum operating weight of 10,433 kilograms, according to The Defense Post.
Military expert Abdelhamid Harifi told online Moroccan news platform Medias24 that the first batch of Moroccan Apaches underwent a series of tests and technical checks to ensure the helicopters were fully operational before being put into service with the Royal Air Force. The outlet also reported that 10 of the helicopters have been built.
Morocco has been seeking new attack helicopters for some time. Morocco’s military has no dedicated attack helicopter, instead relying on two dozen Gazelles, which are flown by Army Aviation and the Royal Moroccan Air Force.
Rabat is keen to bolster its military capabilities amid rising regional tensions and boosted its defense budget for 2025 to about $13 billion. The defense budget was $12 billion in 2024 and $11.4 billion in 2023, according to Morocco World News. The country is Africa’s second-largest military spender behind Algeria, which has a 2025 defense budget of $25.1 billion.