$3.8 billion sale and upgrade of Morocco F-16 aircraft approved by US.

The US State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to Morocco of F-16C/D Block 72 aircraft and related equipment for an estimated cost of $3.787 billion.  The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale on March 22.

F-16 takeoff (Picture source: US Air Force)

The Moroccan government has requested to purchase twenty-nine engines (Pratt & Whitney F100-229) (includes 4 spares), twenty-six APG-83 Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radars (includes 1 spare), twenty-six Modular Mission Computers (includes 1 spare), among others.

The proposed sale will contribute to Morocco's self-defense capabilities. The purchase will improve interoperability with the United States and other regional allies and enhance Morocco’s ability to undertake coalition operations, as it has done in the past in flying sorties against ISIS in Syria and Iraq. Morocco already operates an F 16 fleet and will have no difficulty absorbing this aircraft and services into its armed forces.