Morocco Among the Top Clients of the French Defense Industry with €532 Million in Orders
Morocco’s Defense Purchases from France Reach Record Levels in 2025
Moroccan purchases from the French defense industry hit a record high in 2025, confirming the strengthening military cooperation between Rabat and Paris. According to French data, new Moroccan orders exceeded half a billion euros during the year.
As detailed in the 2026 arms export report presented to the French Parliament by the Ministry of Armed Forces and Veterans, the value of orders destined for Morocco amounted to 532.1 million euros in 2025, in stark contrast to just 13.1 million euros in 2024.
This remarkable increase represents a staggering rise of nearly 3,962% in one year, bringing the level of orders to more than 40 times what was recorded the previous year. Additionally, the amount surpasses the previous peak of 425.9 million euros reached in 2020.
Morocco Accounts for Nearly 100% of French Orders in North Africa
The increase in Moroccan orders is even more significant on a regional scale. In 2025, Morocco accounted for 99.8% of French orders destined for North Africa, totaling approximately 533 million euros.
Across the African continent, French orders reached 622.3 million euros, with 89.3 million euros earmarked for sub-Saharan African countries. With 532.1 million euros, Morocco thus represented around 85.5% of the French orders recorded in Africa.
This impressive performance has allowed the Kingdom to enter the Top 10 global customers of the French defense industry, securing the ninth position in 2025.
India leads the list with 6.904 billion euros in orders, followed by Indonesia with 1.631 billion euros, and Greece with 1.097 billion euros. Notably, Morocco surpasses Germany, where orders totaled 526.3 million euros.
Over 1.3 Billion Euros in Orders Since 2016
The performance observed in 2025 forms part of a broader trend. Between 2016 and 2025, Moroccan orders from the French defense industry amounted to approximately 1.325 billion euros.
After recording 89.9 million euros in 2016, orders sharply declined in 2017 before gradually increasing. Morocco notably recorded 425.9 million euros in 2020, followed by 95.2 million in 2021, 57.3 million in 2022, and only 12.5 million in 2023.
The level remained modest in 2024, with 13.1 million euros, before the surge recorded in 2025.
Throughout this period, Morocco accounted for 73.2% of French orders destined for North Africa, ahead of Algeria and Tunisia.
French Deliveries to Morocco Also on the Rise
French data also indicates an increase in equipment actually delivered to Morocco. Between 2016 and 2025, their cumulative value reached approximately 904.7 million euros.
After several fluctuations, deliveries amounted to 83.3 million euros in 2025, compared to 40.8 million euros in 2024, marking an increase of over 104%.
Over the decade, equipment delivered to Morocco represents about 63.9% of French deliveries to North Africa.
The Caracal Helicopter Program in the Background
The French report also mentions a contract related to the Caracal helicopter program associated with Morocco. However, the document does not specify the number of aircraft involved or the individual value of this contract.
The amount of 532.1 million euros refers to the total orders recorded in favor of Morocco for 2025 and cannot be equated solely to the value of the Caracal program.
Data regarding equipment actually transferred in 2025 also indicate eight rocket launchers, along with two 20 mm cannons. Another item includes authorization for re-export to Morocco concerning fire control, surveillance, and alert systems.
Cooperation Extends Beyond Military Acquisitions
However, cooperation between Morocco and France in the defense domain is not limited to arms contracts.
The French report notably mentions the participation of Moroccan Royal Navy vessels in an international naval group that accompanied the French aircraft carrier during the Clemenceau 25 mission in the Indo-Pacific region.
This participation illustrates the broadening of military cooperation between the two countries, alongside the development of exchanges in security and defense.
France Records a Banner Year in Export
The increase in Moroccan orders comes during a particularly dynamic year for the French defense industry. In 2025, French export orders reached approximately 21.2 billion euros.
Aerospace represented nearly 40% of these orders, followed by the naval sector at 19%, missiles at 18%, and land equipment at 12%. Radars and communication systems accounted for about 2% of the total.
Geographically, Asia concentrated around 43% of French orders, while the European Union represented 27%.
Thus, Morocco’s ascent in French equipment orders signifies a significant strengthening of the defense partnership between Rabat and Paris, in a context where both countries seek to deepen their military, security, and strategic cooperation.
