Moroccan Armed Forces pilots train on Apache in the United States

The National Guard in each US state runs a State Partnership Program with one or more foreign nations, and Morocco is partnered with Utah.

Morocco was one of the first countries to recognize the newly independent United States, opening its ports to American ships in 1777 by decree of Sultan Mohammed III. Morocco formally recognized the United States by signing a treaty of peace and friendship in 1786, marking the start of the USA’s longest unbroken relationship in US history.

Morocco reportedly began negotiating for the supply of Apache helicopters in April 2018, and General Abdelfattah Louarak, the Royal Moroccan Armed Forces Chief of Staff was briefed on the Apache when he visited the United States. Colonel Khaled Samit, commander of the FRA’s AeroCombat squadron, became the first Moroccan pilot to fly the AH-64 in Utah in July 2019. He is expected to command the first Moroccan Apache unit.

In November 2019 the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) issued a press release issued acknowledging that the State Department had approved a possible $4.25 billion sale of 36 AH-64Es and related equipment to Morocco. This package was said to include 24 new AH-64Es with an option for 12 further Apaches.

Morocco reportedly selected the Apache after rejecting the TAI T129, apparently after Moroccan authorities considered that the Turkish helicopter had “not satisfied expectations” during a Syrian deployment. More recently, however, it has emerged that Morocco is once again in negotiations with Turkey for the supply of 22 T129s to augment its new Apaches.

In September, further Moroccan helicopter pilots began simulator training with the 1st Battalion of the 211th Aviation Regiment, Utah Army National Guard at Hill Air Force Base in northern Utah, gradually building up a cadre of pilots with Apache experience prior to the commencement of full conversion training to the new type.

Apache deliveries to the North African Kingdom are not expected to begin until 2024. Morocco will be the 17th country to receive the Boeing attack helicopter.