US, Morocco mark delivery of Apache helicopters to Royal Moroccan Air Force
RABAT, Morocco (Oct. 26, 2026) — The United States and the Kingdom of Morocco marked the Royal Moroccan Air Force’s receipt of six AH-64E Apache helicopters Monday during a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 1st BAFRA Sale, next to Rabat-Sale International Airport. Maj. Gen. Matthew W. Brown, commanding general of U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa, joined senior leaders of the Royal Moroccan Armed Forces for the event.
The delivery brings Morocco to 19 of 24 planned Apaches under a foreign military sales case valued at nearly $1.3 billion. Morocco is one of two African nations that operate the Apache, and the only one that operates the AH-64E.
“This ceremony marks a consequential moment made possible by Morocco’s commitment to its own defense capabilities and the broader security of the region,” Brown said. “The aircraft before us is the most capable attack and reconnaissance helicopter in the world.”
The Apache supports the Joint Readiness and Interoperability objectives of the 2026-2036 Defense Cooperation Roadmap, which was signed at the Pentagon in April. Brown said U.S. and Moroccan pilots and land forces will train together on the aircraft during future African Lion exercises, the continent’s premier joint exercise.
“Integrating these platforms into the continent’s premier joint exercise will directly increase our combined readiness, making our forces stronger, and more capable of operating and fighting alongside each other,” Brown said.
Brown said Morocco’s leadership in regional security is “vital and deeply valued by the United States of America” and that the ribbon cutting “clearly showcases the strength of our alliance.”
“We look forward to the continued growth of this historic alliance as we strive for a future of shared security, stability, and regional peace,” he said.
Morocco was the first country to recognize the U.S., in 1777, and the two nations share the longest-standing treaty relationship in U.S. history.
About SETAF-AF SETAF-AF prepares Army forces, executes crisis response, enables strategic competition, and strengthens partners to achieve U.S. Army Europe and Africa and U.S. Africa Command campaign objectives. Headquartered in Vicenza, Italy, SETAF-AF is a family of Soldiers and Department of Army Civilians committed to Army Values and supported by Italian hosts. Comprised of the 173rd Airborne Brigade, the 207th Military Intelligence Brigade, the 414th Contracting Command and the 509th Signal Battalion, SETAF-AF provides a diverse range of capabilities for three combatant commands.
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