According to the latest report from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), Morocco has officially become the largest arms importer in Africa over the past five years. This significant shift positions the nation at the forefront of military acquisitions on the continent, with the United States as its primary supplier, accounting for 60% of the arms imported by Rabat. Following the U.S., Israel has surged to become the second-largest supplier, providing 24% of Morocco's arms imports, thereby surpassing France, which had held a significant position in the arms market for decades with just 10% of supplies.
The warming of diplomatic relations between Morocco and Israel, reestablished in December 2020, has fostered increased cooperation across multiple sectors, particularly in military and security realms. Notably, the Moroccan military is set to participate in the International Stabilization Force being deployed in Gaza, reflecting the deepening ties between the two nations.
SIPRI's data indicates that Morocco has boosted its arms imports by 12% since 2021, although these imports represent only 1% of the global total, placing Morocco 28th among the world's arms buyers. In stark contrast, Algeria, which was the top arms importer in Africa at the end of the last decade, now ranks second. Algeria's arms purchases have plummeted by 78% over the last five years, leading the country to a 33rd position globally, with its imports constituting a mere 0.9% of the total worldwide. The dynamics of Algeria's arms procurement differ significantly from Morocco's, with Russia being its primary supplier, accounting for 39% of its imports, followed by China (27%) and Germany (18%).
However, SIPRI's annual analysis notes that Algeria typically maintains a level of secrecy regarding its arms imports, with unverified reports suggesting potential arms agreements with Russia between 2021 and 2025, indicating that the institute's estimates may be understated. Akram Kharif, a military affairs expert based in Tunisia, elaborates, stating, "While estimates based on open sources may accurately reflect the decline in Algerian acquisitions, the actual volume of purchases from Russia remains largely unknown." He adds that despite Morocco's substantial imports, Russian sources acknowledge that Algeria is their top global arms buyer, albeit without providing specific details.
Although neither Algeria nor Russia has officially confirmed it, Russia has reportedly sold 14 stealth Sukhoi Su-57 fighter-bombers to the Algerian Air Force, with the first two already delivered. Footage surfaced in early February showing one of these advanced aircraft in Algerian airspace. The Sukhoi Su-57 is regarded as one of the best fighters globally, alongside the American F-35, and Algeria is the first country to receive this aircraft from Russia.
Despite a reduction in arms acquisitions, Algeria still allocates a larger budget for defense than its Moroccan counterpart, with current estimates ranging between $21 billion and $25 billion, compared to Morocco’s budget which falls short of $16 billion. The two nations have been engaged in an arms race for decades, particularly intensified since Spain's withdrawal from Western Sahara in 1975, with their land border closed since 1994. Since 2022, diplomatic relations have been severed, and regular civilian flights between the two countries have ceased.
The increase in arms purchases by Morocco from Israel can be attributed not only to the strengthening of their political relationship but also to the dynamism of the Israeli arms industry. Since the early part of this decade, Israel has emerged as the seventh-largest arms exporter globally, with sales growing by 4.4%, surpassing those of the United Kingdom for the first time. Zain Hussain, a researcher from SIPRI's Arms Transfer Program, points out, "Despite the ongoing conflicts in Gaza and operations in Iran, Lebanon, Qatar, Syria, and Yemen, Israel has managed to increase its share of global arms exports." He emphasizes that the Israeli arms industry focuses heavily on air defense systems, which have seen robust global demand.
Four years ago, Morocco signed a contract with Israel Aerospace Industries for the acquisition of the Barak MX air defense system, amounting to approximately $500 million. Compared to Algeria, Moroccan authorities provide greater transparency regarding their arms purchases, which is a notable aspect of their defense strategy.
As reported by elconfidencial.com.
