The inaugural flight of the first F-16D Block 72, destined for the Royal Moroccan Air Force, took place on October 6, 2026, at Lockheed Martin's facility in Greenville, South Carolina. This significant milestone comes at a time when Algeria has begun receiving its Su-35 fighter jets and is preparing to introduce the Su-57E into service. The arrival of Morocco's new F-16s is viewed as a strategic response to Algeria's expanding air fleet, particularly against the backdrop of strained relations between Rabat and Algiers. The failure of the Emirati Mirage 2000-9 transfer has further limited Morocco's short-term military options.
The F-16D Block 72 is set to undergo additional flight testing before its official presentation and handover to Morocco, although no timeline has been disclosed for this process. Mike Shoemaker, head of Lockheed Martin's Integrated Fighter Group, stated during this inaugural flight, "This first flight marks significant progress in Morocco's F-16 Block 72 program and is a crucial step in enhancing Morocco's future air power." The delivery of the aircraft is contingent upon the completion of testing campaigns conducted in the United States.
Morocco is set to receive 25 new F-16C/D Block 72 aircraft, also known as F-16 Vipers, while its existing fleet of 23 F-16C/D Block 52+ aircraft will be upgraded to the F-16V standard. This will give the Royal Moroccan Air Force a total of 48 aircraft with similar configurations, distributed across two squadrons. This standardization is expected to simplify crew training, technical support, and spare parts management, while also allowing existing fighters to benefit from avionics and mission systems comparable to those of the newly produced aircraft.
The Block 72 model features upgraded avionics, advanced sensors, and enhanced mission equipment, including the Pratt & Whitney F100-PW-229 engine, which is already in use by the Moroccan fleet. These advancements are anticipated to enhance Morocco's detection, engagement, and air defense mission capabilities, enabling the country to achieve operational ranges closer to those offered by Russian aircraft utilized by the Algerian Air Force, especially when supported by refueling and detection assets.
In March 2026, Algeria received its first Su-35 aircraft, although the exact number of available units is still unclear. An agreement for the Su-57E was previously announced in February 2025, with reports in October suggesting a contract for 12 units. Unconfirmed sources indicate that two Su-57Es have already been delivered to Algeria, and Algerian personnel have reportedly undergone training in Russia, potentially facilitating a quicker operational rollout following the acquisition of these aircraft.
Speculations regarding Algeria's potential acquisition of the Chinese J-10CE fighter and the KJ-600 airborne early warning aircraft further intensify the sense of urgency in Rabat, despite no specific timelines or volumes being available. Such acquisitions would add new platforms to the Russian aircraft already ordered or received by Algeria. Consequently, merely modernizing Morocco's F-16s may not suffice to rapidly expand the number of operational units, despite the operational gains provided by the Viper upgrade. Thus, increasing the fleet size becomes inextricably linked to the qualitative upgrades being undertaken with Lockheed Martin.
Morocco had also relied on the transfer of 30 Mirage 2000-9 aircraft from the United Arab Emirates to quickly enhance its fleet. However, plans initiated in 2024 were derailed when Abu Dhabi decided in early February 2026 to retain the aircraft and maintain them at a high state of readiness at Al Dhafra Air Base. These jets would have provided additional airframes without waiting for new production, while Dassault Aviation has announced ongoing support for Mirage 2000 maintenance and supply beyond 2035.
In parallel, advanced negotiations regarding the acquisition of 12 to 18 Rafale F4 aircraft have been reported between Morocco and France by various specialized media outlets. Initial deliveries are projected for 2030 and 2031, although neither the Moroccan nor French governments have confirmed these details. Even if an agreement is reached, this timeline would not provide immediate reinforcement. In the long term, the Rafale would complement the F-16 Vipers, offering a new option for missions requiring extensive range, heavy payloads, and modern sensors.
Preparations for Moroccan crews are already underway alongside the arrival of new aircraft. CAE Inc. has secured a U.S. contract worth up to $42.1 million to provide two full-mission simulators, instructor stations, and a representative cockpit for the F-16 Block 72. These facilities are set to be installed at Sidi Slimane Air Base in Morocco, complete with JHMCS II helmet-mounted display systems and other visual, computing, and display technology. The work, carried out in Texas and Morocco, is expected to conclude by April 30, 2029.
From September 23 to October 2, 2026, four Moroccan F-16s participated in the ORYX exercise for the first time from French Air Base 115 in Orange-Caritat. Over ten days, they operated alongside Rafales from the French Air and Space Force's 5th Fighter Wing. The exercises focused on air-to-air refueling, tactical formations, air combat, and electronic warfare, while mechanics, controllers, and mission preparers adapted their procedures in collaboration with their French counterparts.
In Benslimane, Lockheed Martin is also planning a maintenance, repair, and overhaul facility over 8,000 square meters, developed in conjunction with the Moroccan industry. This site will initially handle heavy maintenance and modernization of C-130 Hercules aircraft, with a potential future extension to include the F-16. Such capabilities would reduce reliance on foreign support operations and facilitate the sustainable operation of a standardized Viper fleet, pending the establishment of the center and the implementation of the announced partnerships.
The inaugural flight of the first F-16D thus marks the tangible beginning of Morocco's fighter renewal phase, although it does not immediately address the needs created by Algeria's military enhancements and the unavailability of Emirati Mirages. Testing, training, and infrastructure developments are paving the way for the Block 72's integration, but a rapid expansion of the fleet will require additional deliveries or acquisitions. The modernization to the F-16V standard remains an essential first step before further decisions can provide Rabat with the desired number of aircraft and operational reach in response to new capabilities deployed by Algeria.
As reported by meta-defense.fr.
