The rapprochement between France and Morocco opens the way for reviving arms deals between the two countries

It seems that the recent Moroccan-French rapprochement, represented by the positive signals sent by Paris to Rabat in order to overcome the period of diplomatic coldness that bilateral relations between the two countries have witnessed in recent years, may, according to observers, revive French arms sales to Morocco after they witnessed a significant decline following Rabat’s neglect of weapons. French forces are heading to other countries in order to obtain the weapons they need to confront the various security threats facing the region.

Morocco ranked third among the largest importers of military equipment from Paris during the year 2020, as it accounted for half of French arms sales to Africa, according to a report by the French Ministry of the Armed Forces. However, the ambiguity of the positions of “France-Macron” towards the Sahara issue and the accumulation of controversial files between the two countries prompted Rabat to get rid of military dependency on France and diversify its military partners at this level, thus eliminating the name of Morocco in the latest annual report of the same French ministry on French arms sales.

Desire and strategy

Hisham Moataded, a researcher in strategic affairs, said that “the Moroccan-French rapprochement will undoubtedly allow the return of the flow of French weapons to the Moroccan market after a noticeable decline as a result of the political and diplomatic dispute between the two countries as a result of the great misunderstanding that characterized Moroccan-French relations,” noting that “Paris seeks Always seeking to reserve a strategic position in arms sales to Moroccan defense and security institutions; This is due to the political and strategic heritage that brought the two countries together since the protection period and the years that followed through many bilateral agreements and partnerships.”

Moataded added, in a statement to Hespress, that “Morocco may need some specific weapons from France, such as Rafale fighters and Caracal aircraft, which have shown great effectiveness in many recent military operations, in addition to French vehicles and armored vehicles, which in turn have proven great effectiveness on the ground.” “In overcoming geographical challenges in many different regions.”

The researcher in strategic affairs stated that “modernizing coast guard ships is also one of the matters on which Rabat may rely on France to renew its naval mechanisms, especially since the leadership in Morocco has a strategic direction in strengthening its naval arsenal and raising the level of security and control of its various maritime spaces in line with the new Atlantic policies.” .

The same spokesman pointed out that “France is striving to obtain its share of Moroccan arms imports, like many arms manufacturing and exporting countries.” Therefore, it wants to return strongly to the Moroccan market, especially after the significant decline in recent years, in light of Rabat’s choice of a policy of diversifying partners. This increases the pressure on Paris and pushes it to think about building a new strategy that is in line with the data and changes taking place in the Moroccan arena at this level.”

Moataded concluded, “The military and defense industries, which Morocco seeks to encourage locally in order to supply part of its security and military equipment, may be a new gateway for Paris to position itself in this large and important strategic workshop for Rabat, which is considered a fertile field for many international investors in the military field.” And defensive.”

Correct path

Mohamed Issam Al-Arousi, director of the Perspectives Center for Geopolitical and Strategic Studies, said that “the diplomatic crisis between Rabat and Paris has, in recent years, overshadowed the nature of relations between the two countries and has had a negative impact on their security and military relations,” noting that “Morocco has directed its To strengthen its military partnerships with a group of other weapons-producing countries, especially the United States of America.”

Al-Arousi added, in a statement to the electronic newspaper Hespress, that “France subsequently declined in its position as a primary supplier of military equipment to Morocco.” This is confirmed by the recent reports of the French Ministry of the Armed Forces,” pointing out that “this decline is mainly due to the lack of clarity in the French position towards the Sahara issue and the rapprochement that has occurred in recent years between Algeria and Paris at the expense of relations with Morocco.”

The same spokesman recorded that “the Moroccan-French military relations, although they are well-established and deep-rooted; However, it was greatly affected during the era of President Macron, as the French state, during the latter’s era, witnessed a significant decline in its influence in the North African and Sahel-Saharan regions, explaining that “returning these relations to their path requires a great effort from Paris to restore its traditional partners, especially on the “The military and security levels.”

The director of the Perspectives Center for Geopolitical and Strategic Studies pointed out that “Morocco has tried, in recent years, to open other channels away from France in order to supply the weapons it needs, especially aircraft and rocket launchers. Therefore, the Kingdom has proven its ability to establish long-term partnerships with a group of arms manufacturing countries.”

The same spokesman stated that “the recent Moroccan-French rapprochement, the renewal of trust between the two countries, and overcoming the points of contention between them are all factors that will open the way for the re-flow of French weapons, especially combat aircraft, of which Morocco suffers from a shortage.” He tried to compensate for this deficiency by arming himself with drones that the Kingdom obtained from Turkey, China, as well as Israel.

Mohamed Issam Al-Arousi concluded that “France has never yielded in its efforts to obtain a share of the arms deals concluded by Morocco, which has become very friendly and has gotten rid of its military dependency on Paris,” noting that “the French state will correct the course of its relations with Rabat, especially in “Issues that are a priority in Moroccan foreign policy may push towards reviving French arms sales to the Kingdom.”