Defense: In Tan-Tan, Morocco and the United States Reach a New Milestone with First Live Fire Exercise
Enhanced Security and Military Cooperation Between Rabat and Washington: AMTEC’s First Live-Fire Drill
The security and military cooperation between Rabat and Washington has reached a new milestone with the organization of the first live-fire exercise at Tan-Tan, part of the activities carried out by the African Multi-Domain Training and Experimentation Center, abbreviated as AMTEC.
The exercise took place from August 3 to 7, involving the Royal Armed Forces of Morocco and personnel from the U.S. military. According to U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), the aim was to test precision long-range strike capabilities developed by an American defense industry partner in a realistic operational environment.
This operation is part of an American initiative aimed at expanding military testing opportunities and providing defense industry professionals with new environments to evaluate their technologies.
On-site, Moroccan and American teams set up a temporary testing area before conducting live-fire demonstrations. Engineers and technicians from the defense sector also participated in various phases of the experimentation.
Notably, the efforts focused on communication systems, mobility of certain launch platform components, and the collection of meteorological and targeting data. The information gathered is expected to improve future tests and support the development of new capabilities.
AMTEC: The Future Regional Hub for Military Innovation
This initial experimental exercise follows an agreement reached a few weeks prior between Morocco and the United States concerning the establishment of AMTEC in Tan-Tan.
The memorandum of understanding was signed on July 13 in Stuttgart by General Mohammed Berrid, Inspector General of the Royal Armed Forces, and U.S. Air Force General Dagvin Anderson, commander of AFRICOM.
The project envisions the creation of a multi-domain infrastructure featuring several components, including a training area, a drone academy, and a space dedicated to innovation and experimentation.
The ambition is to enable armed forces, defense contractors, and technological partners to test new equipment under conditions similar to those encountered in operational theaters.
Colonel Zouhair El Hamdani, who coordinates the project on the Moroccan side, remarked that the first live-fire exercise represents a significant step towards realizing AMTEC’s vision.
A Laboratory for Defense Technologies
Beyond the military exercise, the Tan-Tan experience exemplifies a new approach to cooperation between armed forces and the defense industry.
The principle is to bridge the operational needs of military personnel with the capabilities developed by technology companies, aiming to shorten the time required between system experimentation and its potential integration into operational capabilities.
The system tested during this demonstration is centered around a long-range cruise missile, positioned as a cost-effective solution for precision strikes.
The involvement of engineers and specialized technicians during the exercise allowed for direct analysis of the system’s performance in a real-world environment and identification of necessary adjustments.
Morocco as an Experimentation Platform
For Washington, the development of AMTEC also provides a complementary testing environment to existing infrastructure in the United States. The Tan-Tan site could ultimately host exercises involving Moroccan, American, African, and other international partner forces.
The future center is expected to progressively expand its experimental scope across several technological domains, including long-range strike capabilities, autonomous systems, wireless communications, and advanced detection technologies.
This orientation reinforces Morocco’s position as a key military partner of the United States in Africa and as a regional platform capable of hosting training, experimentation, and innovation activities in the defense sector.
Through AMTEC, Rabat and Washington seek to elevate their military cooperation to new heights, incorporating operational training, technological innovation, and the development of defense capabilities.
