In a significant development, Spain has completed the construction of its first naval vessel for Morocco in nearly four decades. Currently undergoing testing off the coast of Cádiz, this new high-seas patrol ship is based on the Avante 1800 class designed by the shipbuilding company Navantia and has a displacement of approximately 2,000 tons. This information was reported by the specialized portal "Ecoticias".
Navantia has announced that the vessel is set to be handed over to the Royal Moroccan Navy later this year, with reports from the newspaper "El Economista" suggesting that the transfer may occur before August. The ship, which was launched on May 27, 2025, at the San Fernando shipyard near Cádiz, is identified by the construction number 565 and measures around 87 meters in length and about 13 meters in width. It is designed to accommodate a crew of approximately 60 personnel for extended sea operations while maintaining low operating and maintenance costs. The ship features a diesel-electric propulsion system, a helicopter deck, and space for fast intervention boats, enhancing the crew's ability to respond flexibly in busy maritime areas.
The ongoing sea trials aim to verify the reliability of the propulsion, navigation, electronics, and stability systems under real-world conditions. The vessel can achieve speeds of up to 24 knots, which is nearly 28 kilometers per hour, allowing it to cover coastal sections, fishing zones, and heavily trafficked routes efficiently.
This new ship is primarily intended for routine operations such as monitoring shipping routes, overseeing fishing areas, supporting search and rescue missions, and combating marine pollution. Instead of relying on heavy armament, it is equipped with reliable sensors, swift support boats, and a robust platform to perform these tasks effectively.
The contract package for this project, estimated to be around 130 million euros, also includes spare parts, tools, technical documentation, and training for Moroccan naval personnel in Spain, as reported by "El Economista". This comprehensive support is aimed at ensuring that the new vessel can be deployed effectively for daily coastal protection after its delivery.
The fact that a Spanish-built naval ship is being delivered to Morocco after decades is seen as a clear indication of strengthened collaboration between the two nations. Their relationship has faced various challenges in recent years due to border disputes over the Spanish enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla, as well as migration crises where Morocco has used border control as a political leverage against Madrid.
Morocco has been actively modernizing its military forces, with "El Economista" noting that the country allocated approximately 5.4 billion euros for defense spending in 2025, marking a 6.6 percent increase from the previous year. This investment represents about 3.54 percent of Morocco's GDP, positioning it among the countries with the highest military expenditure as a percentage of gross domestic product worldwide, where the global average is just over 2 percent.
In contrast, Morocco's neighbor Algeria has seen even greater increases in military spending, with expenditures rising to around 21.7 billion euros in 2025, an 11 percent increase. The ongoing tensions between the two nations are considered a significant backdrop to their respective military buildups.
As reported by focus.de.
