First Apache batch for Morocco arrives in country

The $440 million order for 24 of the type was made in June 2020 along with an option to acquire 12 more. Boeing began production in November 2023..

The deal also includes 551 Hellfire air-to-surface missiles, 200 AIM-92H Stinger air-to-air missiles, and 558 Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System precision-guided rocket kits. Africa reported

GE Aviation is supplying 48 T700-701D turboshaft engines and spare parts for the new fleet. Longbow LLC - the joint venture between Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman, is supplying AN/APG-78 Longbow radars.

Boeing’s vice president of attack helicopter programmes, Christina Upah, said the milestone delivery was important and will strengthen Morocco’s defence capabilities for years to come.

“Boeing’s partnership with the Kingdom of Morocco spans decades, and I am proud the Apache is now part of this legacy,” Upah said .

“This is another step forward in our long partnership with the Kingdom of Morocco,” said Jeff Shockey, Boeing Defense vice president, global sales and marketing, “Worldwide demand for the Apache is growing and we are proud to provide this best-in-class capability to Morocco.”

The AH-64E features an improved modern target acquisition designation system that provides day, night and all-weather target information, as well as night vision navigation capability. In addition to classifying ground and air targets, the fire control radar has been updated to operate in a maritime environment.

Morocco is Africa’s second-largest military spender behind Algeria and its modernisation programme includes the latest Lockheed Martin F-16 Block 70/72 Fighting Falcons to eplace older Mirage F1s and Northrop F-5E/F Tiger IIs and augment the F-16C/Ds received from 2011.