The Royal Moroccan Air Force: A History of Modernization and Operational Capabilities

Nov 15, 2025 0

The Royal Moroccan Air Force (RMAF), known in French as Force Aérienne Royale Marocaine, has undergone significant transformations since its establishment. From its early acquisitions of Soviet aircraft to its current diverse fleet of Western-built airplanes, the RMAF has continuously modernized to meet its strategic needs.

A Royal Moroccan Air Force F-16C Block 52. Source: Wikimedia Commons

Early Years and Initial Equipment

In 1961, the air force officially adopted the name "Force Aérienne Royale Marocaine". During this period, the RMAF acquired significant military hardware from the Soviet Union, including:

12 Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-17 fighters
2 Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-15UTI trainers
4 Ilyushin Il-28 bombers

However, a political divergence with the USSR led Morocco to seek a new alliance with the United States. Subsequently, the RMAF procured six Northrop F-5 combat aircraft (4 single-seat F-5A and 2 two-seat F-5B), followed by an additional 20 F-5A and 4 F-5B in 1966.

Concurrently, the RMAF bolstered its transport capabilities with 10 Douglas C-47 Skytrain and 18 Fairchild C-119G transport aircraft. The helicopter fleet at the time consisted of six Aerospatiale Alouette IIs and four Bell 47s. Pilot training was conducted using 12 North American T-6 Texans.

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Starting in 1968, Morocco also acquired a substantial number of helicopters from Italy, including 60 AB205, 25 AB206, two AB212, and nine CH-47C helicopters.

The Western Sahara War and Equipment Evolution

The next modernization of the Moroccan Air Force took place just before the Sahara conflict, with the acquisition of Mirage F-1CH attack aircraft, Beech T-34C Mentor training aircraft, Aerospatiale Puma helicopters, and new Hercules transport aircraft to substitute the older units.

The Western Sahara War (1975-1991) was an armed conflict between the Polisario Front and Morocco (and Mauritania until 1979). The conflict erupted after Spain's withdrawal from the Spanish Sahara, with Morocco and Mauritania taking administrative control.

At the beginning of the conflict, Fouga Magister (based at Laayoune) and North American T-6 Texan (based at Ad Dhakla) were initially in ground support mission and night attacks. Later on, the F-5 aircraft were thrown into action, to strike against POLISARIO targets.

During the Yom Kippur War a Squadron of Moroccan Air Force Northrop F-5A joined the Egyptian 69 Squadron at Tanta on 19 October 1973. At least 14 MiG-17s and also around a dozen of F-5As were deployed. The F-5As arrived after a lengthy trip, via Algeria, Tunis and Libya, accompanied by Lockheed C-130 Hercules transports that carried spare parts, weapons, and equipment. Moroccans started flying tasked with CAP missions over the Nile Delta. In January 1974 two F-5As armed with AIM-9B and 20mm cannons, intercepted a pair of IAF Mirage IIICs on a reconnaissance mission.

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In 1980, construction of the Sahara defensive walls began, incorporating various obstacles for infantry and armored vehicles, backed by Quick Intervention Units transported by Super Puma, AB-205, and CH-47 Chinook helicopters. Aérospatiale SA 342 Gazelle helicopters with TOW missiles were deployed for anti-tank defense.

After the loss of 1 F-5A and 2 RF-5A in the battles, 20 F-5E “Tiger II” and 4 F-5F were acquired. The main problem that faced the F-5 in Western Sahara was its insufficient range to realize missions in depth in the vast battlefield of the Sahara desert.

In 1977, the Moroccan Mirage pilots started their training in an Air-force base located in Orange, France. In this same year, the Moroccan Air Force started receiving its first Mirage F-1C fighters. 3 Mirage Deliveries were received between 1978 and 1982. The first delivery were 30 Mirage F1-CH received between February and December 1978. The second one, was received between December 1979 and July 1982 and comprised 14 Mirage F1-EH.

With the losses of Fouga Magister, the FARM decided to buy a total of 24 Rockwell OV-10A from the United States Marine Corps. The first 6 aircraft were delivered, but with the early loss of one of them, the rest were transferred to a maritime patrol role due to their inefficiency in combat.

A Moroccan Air Force Mirage F1. Source: Pinterest

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Modernization Programs

The Royal Moroccan Air Force initiated a progressive modernization program to enhance its fleet's technical and operational capabilities. Key upgrades and acquisitions include:

F-5 Upgrades: Improvements to F-5A/B aircraft with the installation of "Tiger II" avionics on approximately 8 F-5A and 2 F-5B.
F-5E/F Refurbishment: From 2001 to 2004, the RMAF's F-5E/F received a full refurbishment and upgrade from SOGERMA and Lahav (IAI), enhancing their performance to the "Tiger III" level and enabling the use of advanced weapon systems.
C-27J Spartan: In 2008, 4 C-27J Spartan tactical transport aircraft were purchased from Finmeccanica subsidiary Alenia Aeronautica.
Alpha Jet E Upgrade: The advanced trainer and CAS/COIN aircraft Alpha Jet E fleet was upgraded to the "E+ standard".
CH-47D Chinook: One year later, 3 CH-47D helicopters were requested, supplementing the existing 9 CH-47C helicopters.
Unmanned Systems: General Atomics received export licenses in 2010 to sell an unarmed export version of the Predator to Morocco.
Bombardier 415 Superscooper: Six aerial firefighting Bombardier 415 Superscooper aircraft were purchased in 2011.
F-16 Fighting Falcon: The modernization and upgrade of the former US Air Force base in Ben Guerir Air Base to support its F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft is also important.

In 2007, Morocco formally requested 24 T-6B Texan trainer aircraft, with very secondary light attack capability. The RMAF received the first 24 Lockheed Martin F-16 aircraft in 2011.

Current Fleet and Capabilities

The RMAF currently operates approximately 100 combat aircraft of 4 different types. The RMAF flies a variety of Western-built airplanes, particularly American and French built aircraft.

The RMAF is structured to perform a range of missions, primarily focused on the defense of national airspace, reconnaissance, and providing air support for ground forces. Its organizational framework consists of several commands, including fighter, transport, and training units.

The force's doctrine is heavily influenced by the strategic need to maintain territorial integrity, shaped by the long-standing Western Sahara conflict and regional dynamics, particularly with neighboring Algeria. Operational capabilities are centered on a mixed fleet of combat aircraft.

Here is a summary of the RMAF's current inventory:

Aircraft Type	Origin	Role	Quantity
F-16 Fighting Falcon	USA	Multi-role fighter	23
Mirage F1	France	Fighter/Ground Attack	21
Northrop F-5	USA	Fighter/Ground Attack	18
Alpha Jet	France/Germany	Trainer/Light Attack	23
C-130 Hercules	USA	Transport	7
C-27J Spartan	Italy	Transport	4
CN-235	Spain/Indonesia	Transport/Maritime Patrol	7
Beechcraft T-6 Texan II	USA	Trainer/Light Attack	24
AH-64 Apache	USA	Attack Helicopter	6
CH-47 Chinook	USA	Transport Helicopter	12

The RMAF balances multi-role capabilities with specialized tasks like air superiority and ground attack. This is complemented by a varied helicopter fleet used for transport, medical evacuation, and special operations. The RMAF also conducts critical intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions.

Operational Engagements

The RMAF has a history of combat engagements. It participated in the 1963 Sand War, the 1973 Yom Kippur War on the Egyptian front, and extensively in the Western Sahara War. More recently, it has been involved in the international intervention against ISIL and the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen. These operations have provided the force with significant operational experience.

To address the limitations of an aging inventory, the RMAF recently acquired F-16 Block 72 fighters, and started the upgrading of its existing F-16 fleet. The helicopter force is also being enhanced through the procurement of AH-64E Apache attack helicopters. Additionally, the RMAF is expanding its unmanned aerial vehicle capabilities, having purchased various systems, and has also upgraded its transport and trainer aircraft fleets.

The RMAF’s air transport squadron, part ot transport and Aerial refueling squad, based at the 3rd Air Force Base (3rd BAFRA) in Kenitra provides rapid mobility, forces projection and logistical support in national and international duties. Air mobility is a national asset of growing importance for responding to national emergencies, technical and logistical support in national and international operations, and providing aid and medical supplies to international countries touched by disasters.

Cargo and transport aircraft are also typically used to deliver troops, weapons and other military equipment to any area of military operations and needs in national and ranged international countries.

The RMAF’s tanker aircraft are part of air cargo transport and Aerial refueling squad (See Military transport), the main mission is to provide the fuel in large-scale operations and daily air operations and exercises.

Several unmanned remotely controlled vehicles or UAVs are also active, providing cheaper and more capable fighting machines that can be used without risk to aircrews. The Recon Pods, can be installed in fighters, and contains reconnaissance sensors, imagery data recording system and can also carry air-to-ground data link system. Goodrich DB-110 reconnaissance pod. Dassault COR2 reconnaissance pod.

The purpose of electronic warfare is to deny the opponent an advantage in the EMS and ensure friendly, unimpeded access to the EM spectrum portion of the information environment. The Air Force’s trainer aircraft are used to train pilots, navigators, and other aircrew in their duties. Military transport helicopters are used in places where the use of conventional aircraft is impossible. They’re used for air assault, cargo, MEDEVAC, command and control, and troop transport. They can also transport towed artillery and light vehicles either internally or as under-slung roles, small AFVs, supplies, etc.

The primary role of the attack aircraft is the capability of engaging targets on the ground, such as enemy infantry and armored vehicles. Weapons used on attack helicopters can include autocannons, machine-guns, rockets, and guided ATGM missiles. The fighter aircraft of the RMAF’s are used for air-to-air combat and ground-attack capabilities, also known as fighter-bombers. Secondary roles include interception of bombers and other fighters, reconnaissance and patrol.

Additional Capabilities

In 1985 the Moroccan Government started with a Cloud seeding program called ‘Al-Ghait’. The system was first used in Morocco in 1999, It has also been used between 1999 and 2002 in Burkina Faso and from 2005 in Senegal. To be prepared for the dangers when flying into the clouds the Alpha jet is equipped with a Sperry/Honeywell PRIMUS 300SL colour weather radar system, hence the different shape of the nose-radome. During operations the aircraft will fly into the clouds and spray chemicals by pushing a button on the control stick. The chemicals will leave the rear of the aircraft via the modified AN/ALE-40 counter measure flare dispenser system. Due to the iodized chemicals the volume of the clouds should grow which should increase the chance for rain. The system was first used in Morocco in 1999 and has also been used between 1999 and 2002 in Burkina Faso.

The RMAF also uses aircraft, helicopters and other aerial resources to combat wildfires.

RMAF’s aerobatic display team “Marche Verte” (Green March), was formed in 1988. The team performs unique formation takeoffs in which all seven planes are tied together with ropes. They perform some maneuvers in this configuration before a breaking apart maneuver which tears the ropes. All the team aircraft are painted in all-red, with green and yellow lines, smoke generators are also used.