Marrakech – In a significant step towards bolstering military cooperation in Africa, Morocco and NATO have announced plans to extend their collaborative efforts to include the training of African armed forces. As detailed in a report by Africa Intelligence, this initiative is set to unfold under the Defence Education Enhancement Programme (DEEP), a NATO-led framework that Morocco became part of in 2025. The forthcoming collaboration aims to enhance the capabilities of non-commissioned officers (NCOs) within the African military landscape.
The Royal Armed Forces (FAR), under the leadership of General Mohammed Berrid, are expected to host a DEEP session within the kingdom this year or by early 2027. The negotiations have been spearheaded by Morocco’s ambassador to NATO, Ahmed Réda Chami, showcasing Morocco’s commitment to developing military education and training across the continent. NATO's Secretary General Annual Report for 2025 corroborates this initiative, highlighting Morocco's role in initiating trilateral cooperation involving NATO and other African nations aimed at enhancing NCO capabilities.
This strategic move builds upon Morocco's long-standing history of military collaboration with the United States. The African Lion exercise, co-organized with Washington since 2004, exemplifies this partnership. Each year, Morocco hosts this extensive military drill, which involves around 40 participating nations, primarily from Africa, as well as members of NATO and the European Union. The exercise serves as a vital platform for enhancing military readiness and interoperability among allied forces.
A Collaborative Framework with the United States
Simultaneously, Morocco is advancing a parallel track with the United States. On July 13, the FAR and AFRICOM signed a memorandum of understanding to establish the Africa Multidomain Training and Experimentation Center (AMTEC) at AFRICOM’s headquarters. This center, set to be developed in Tan-Tan by 2030, will encompass a Multidomain Training Area, a Drone Academy, and an Innovation and Experimentation Center. The Drone Academy is designed to train operators, planners, and instructors from Morocco and various African partner nations, focusing on countering security threats in West Africa.
General Dagvin Anderson, commander of AFRICOM, emphasized that AMTEC will significantly bolster the readiness and capabilities of both nations' military forces. The inaugural African Lion 2027 is slated to serve as a proof of concept for this center, highlighting the growing military collaboration between Morocco and the United States. In a testament to this partnership, the recent African Lion 2026 exercise featured the first drone academic class, conducted by US instructors, which saw over 20 service members from Morocco, Nigeria, Ghana, and the United States graduate from specialized training.
This focused training initiative aligns with Morocco's broader strategy of defense diplomacy across Africa, having secured military cooperation agreements with several African nations in recent years, including Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Ethiopia, and Liberia. These agreements typically encompass military education and training, joint exercises, scientific research, and military health services, showcasing Morocco's commitment to regional security and stability.
Understanding the DEEP Initiative
The Defence Education Enhancement Programme (DEEP), initiated by NATO in 2007, aims to assist partner nations in reforming professional military education. The program focuses on two key components: curriculum development, which pertains to what is taught, and faculty development, which concerns how it is taught. A dedicated NCO Working Group addresses requests related to the professionalization of NCO corps. Morocco’s involvement in DEEP signifies its active role in enhancing military education standards within the region.
Morocco’s ties with NATO are extensive and multifaceted, transcending the DEEP framework. The country is a key member of the Mediterranean Dialogue, a partnership established in 1994, and was the first to conclude an individualized partnership program with NATO. This strong relationship has garnered recognition from senior NATO officials, who regard Morocco as an essential partner in addressing security challenges, particularly in counter-terrorism. The collaborative efforts between Morocco and NATO not only enhance military readiness but also contribute significantly to international peace and security.
As reported by moroccoworldnews.com.
