Morocco has a well-structured and modernizing military known as the Royal Armed Forces (Forces Armées Royales – FAR). It plays a central role in national defense, border security, counterterrorism, and international peacekeeping.
Here’s a complete overview of Morocco’s military forces:
Royal Armed Forces (Forces Armées Royales – FAR)
Commander-in-Chief:
- King Mohammed VI
- As per the Moroccan Constitution, the King is the Supreme Commander and Chief of General Staff of the Royal Armed Forces.
Branches of the Moroccan Military
| Branch | Description |
|---|
1. Royal Moroccan Army
- Largest branch
- Focus: Land defense, anti-terrorism, border patrol
- Well-trained in mountain and desert warfare
- Heavily deployed in the Western Sahara region
2. Royal Moroccan Navy
- Protects Morocco’s Atlantic and Mediterranean coasts
- Engaged in anti-smuggling, anti-piracy, and migrant control operations
- Also operates marines and special naval forces
3. Royal Moroccan Air Force (RMAF)
- Operates F-16s, Mirage F1s, CH-47 Chinook helicopters, drones (from Turkey, USA, and Israel)
- Main focus: Air defense, surveillance, and rapid deployment
- Plays a major role in counterterrorism and international air exercises
4. Royal Moroccan Gendarmerie
- A military police force under Ministry of Defense
- Ensures security in rural areas, highways, and during national emergencies
- Trained in crowd control and civil protection
5. Royal Guard (Garde Royale)
- Elite unit for protecting the King and royal family
- Ceremonial duties + high-level VIP security
- Highly selective and rigorously trained
Special Forces Units
Morocco has elite commando units trained for counter-terrorism, hostage rescue, and covert operations:
- Groupe d’Intervention de la Gendarmerie Royale (GIGR)
- Paratrooper Brigades
- Forces Spéciales Armée Royale (FORSAR)
- Navy Commandos & Airborne Units
International Military Partnerships
Morocco maintains strong defense ties with:
- USA – Major non-NATO ally
- France – Historic military partner
- Spain, UAE, Israel, Turkey
It participates in international military drills, such as:
- African Lion (with the U.S.)
- Flintlock (with AFRICOM & NATO countries)
Peacekeeping Missions
Moroccan troops have served under the United Nations in:
- Congo (MONUC)
- Ivory Coast
- Central African Republic
- Kosovo
- Haiti
Modernization and Equipment
- Morocco has invested heavily in modern weapons, drones, fighter jets, surveillance systems
- Recent upgrades include:
- Bayraktar TB2 drones (Turkey)
- F-16 Viper upgrades
- Israeli UAVs and defense systems
- Chinese VT-1A tanks and French Caesar howitzers
Estimated Strength (as of recent data)
| Force Type | Personnel |
|---|---|
| Active Personnel | ~200,000+ |
| Reserve Forces | ~150,000 |
| Paramilitary (Gendarmerie, Police) | ~50,000+ |
