Morocco is looking to spend upward of $2.4 billion for 24 F-16C/D Block 50/52 aircraft as well as associated equipment and services, according to the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA).
Besides the 24 F-16s, which will be equipped with either the F100-PW-229 or F110-GE-129 increased performance engines and APG-68(C)9 radars, Morocco is seeking: five F100-PW- 229 or F110-GE-129 IPE spare engines; four APG-68(V)9 spare radar sets; 30 AN/ALE-47 Countermeasures Dispensing Systems (CMDS), 30 AN/ALR-56M Radar Warning Receivers (RWR), 60 LAU-129/A Launchers; 30 LAU-117 Launchers; six Joint Helmet Mounted Cueing Systems; four AN/ARC-238 Single Channel Ground and Airborne Radio System (SINCGAR) radios with HAVE QUICK I/II; 24 Conformal Fuel Tanks (pairs); four Link-16 Multifunctional Information Distribution System-Low Volume Terminals; two Link-16 Ground Stations; four Global Positioning Systems (GPS) and Embedded GPS/ Inertial Navigation Systems (INS); 12 AN/AAQ-33 SNIPER Targeting Pods or AN/AAQ-28 LITENING Targeting Pods; five Tactical Air Reconnaissance Systems (TARS) or DB-110 Reconnaissance Pods (RECCE); four AN/APX-113 Advanced Identification Friend or Foe (AIFF) Systems; 28 AN/ALQ-211 Advanced Integrated Defensive Electronic Warfare Suites (AIDEWS); or 28 AN/ALQ-187 Advanced Self-Protection Integrated Suites ASPIS II); or 28 AN/ALQ-178 Self Protection Electronic Warfare Suites (SPEWS); and one Unit Level Trainer, DSCA reported.
Additionally the sale will include associated support equipment, software development/integration, tanker support, ferry services, CAD/PAD, repair and return, modification kits, spares and repair parts, publications and technical documentation, personnel training and training equipment, U.S. Government and contractor technical, engineering, and logistics support services, and other related elements of logistics support, DSCA said.
Prime contractors are BAE SYSTEMS, Boeing [BA], Raytheon [RTN], Lockheed Martin [LMT], Northrop Grumman [NOC], Pratt & Whitney [UTX], General Electric [GE], Goodrich [GR], and L-3 Communications [LLL].
Morocco is also looking to spend upward of $200 million for 24 T-6B Texan aircraft as well as associated equipment and services, DSCA reported.
The proposed sale includes: Global Positioning System (GPS) with CMA-4124 GNSSA card and Embedded GPS/Inertial Navigation System (INS) spares, ferry maintenance, tanker support, aircraft ferry services, site survey, unit level trainer, spare and repair parts, support and test equipment, publications and technical documentation, personnel training and training equipment, contractor technical and logistics personnel services, and other related elements of logistics support, DSCA said.
The prime contractors are: Hawker Beechcraft Corp., Pratt & Whitney, Martin Baker, Hartzel Propeller, Canadian Marconi, and L-3 Vertex.
The Royal Moroccan Air Force’s (RMAF) fleet of T-37 aircraft was produced in the early 1960s. The T-37s high fuel and maintenance costs, and low mission capable rates led to the RMAF’s decision to procure new trainer aircraft. The T-6B aircraft will reduce fuel requirements by 66 percent. The RMAF will use these new aircraft to modernize its air force and to improve operational capability in coalition operations and exercises, and contribute to a modern air defense network for the legitimate defense of Morocco. Morocco will have no difficulty absorbing these aircraft into its armed forces, DSCA said.
Implementation of this proposed sale will require multiple trips to Morocco involving U.S. Government and contractor representatives for technical reviews/support, program management, and training over a period of 15 years, according to DSCA.