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| Royal Moroccan Air Force | |
|---|---|
| القوات الجوية الملكية المغربية (Arabic) | |
 Badge of the Royal Moroccan Air Force | |
| Founded | 19 November 1956; 69 years ago (1956-11-19) |
| Country |  Morocco |
| Type | Air force |
| Role | Aerial warfare |
| Size | 13,000 personnel[1] |
| Part of | Royal Moroccan Armed Forces |
| Equipment | 400+ aircraft |
| Engagements | |
| Commanders | |
| Commander-in-Chief | KingMohammed VI |
| Commander of the Air Force | General Mohammed Gadih |
| Insignia | |
| Roundel |  |
| Fin flash |  |
| Aircraft flown | |
| Fighter | F-16 Fighting Falcon,Northrop F-5,Mirage F1 |
| Attack helicopter | SA 342,AH-64E Apache[2] |
| Multirole helicopter | CH-47,SA 330,AB205 |
| Reconnaissance | C-130 |
| Trainer | Beechcraft Super King Air,T-6C,Alpha Jet E+,F-5F |
| Transport | C-130H,CN-235M,C-27J |
| Tanker | KC-130H |
TheRoyal Moroccan Air Force (Arabic:القوات الجوية الملكية)[3] is theair force of theMoroccan Armed Forces.
The Moroccan Air Force was formed on 14 May 1956 as the Sherifian Royal Aviation (Aviation Royale Chérifienne).[4]
Its modern installations and bases were inherited fromFrance (Meknes,Rabat in tandem with the United States,Marrakech,Kenitra,Ben Guerir,Boulhault,Nouasseur, andSidi Slimane),[4] and laterSpain (Laayoune).[5] In the 1950s and 1960s, American aircraft were deployed in several of these bases, including nuclear bombers from theStrategic Air Command.[4]
The first aircraft of this newly formed air force were 16Morane-Saulnier Alcyons, fiveMax Holste MH.1521 Broussard transport aircraft, oneAérospatiale Alouette II, and oneBell H-13 Sioux.[4]
In 1961, it obtained 12Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-17 fighters, twoMikoyan-Gurevich MiG-15UTI trainers and either two or fourIlyushin Il-28 bombers from theSoviet Union. EightFouga Magister training aircraft were also received from France.[6]
On 1 February 1964, the Sherifian Royal Aviation changed its name to Royal Air Force (Force Aérienne Royale).[7] Since the 1990s, it has been known as theForces Royales Air.[8]
The political rift with the Soviet Union pushed Morocco to seek a new ally in the United States, acquiring from the latter six Northrop F-5 combat aircraft (4 single-seat F-5A and 2 two-seat F-5B) and another 20 F-5A and four F-5B in 1966.[citation needed] Around 1962, 10Douglas C-47 Skytrain and sixFairchild C-119G transport aircraft were acquired. At that time, the helicopter fleet was composed of sixAerospatiale Alouette IIs and fourBell 47s. 12North American T-6 Texans were used for pilot training;[9] no less than eight T-6Gs and 56 SNJ-4s had been delivered by France, but most of them were in a very poor condition, and written off soon after their delivery. 15 Harvard Mk 4s were also delivered in 1962.[10]
Starting in 1968, Morocco acquired 60AB205, 25AB206, twoAB212, and nineCH-47C helicopters from Italy. Deliveries lasted until 1977.[11]
The next modernization of the Moroccan Air Force took place just before theSahara conflict. The first 25 Mirage F1CH fighters were purchased in 1975, together with 38Aerospatiale Puma helicopters. Six C-130Hs were bought in 1973, and deliveries started in 1974.[12] Modernization of Northrop F-5 Freedom Fighter with improved technology and the purchase of 24Alpha Jet E would later be undertaken by the RMAF; another modernization of the fleet of Dassault Mirage F1 was achieved in 1996 and 1997.
During the 90s there were plans for purchasingMirage 2000 or F-16 fighter aircraft, however due to unavailable funding they were not realized. By 2011 the Royal Moroccan Air Force started to modernize its ageing fleet by buying F-16s.[13]
The RMAF participated in the Moroccan-Algerian border conflict in 1963 known asSand War. ItsFairchild C-119s andDouglas C-47s were used to resupply troops,North American T-6s for reconnaissance, andMorane-Saulnier Alcyons for ground attack.MiG-17s were only used sporadically, mostly due to their short range.[14]
During theYom Kippur War, a squadron of Royal Moroccan Air Force Northrop F-5As joined the Egyptian 69 Squadron at Tanta on 19 October 1973. At least 14MiG-17s and also around a dozen of F-5As were deployed. The F-5As arrived after a lengthy trip, viaTunis andLibya, accompanied by Lockheed C-130 Hercules transports that carried spare parts, weapons, and equipment. Moroccans started flying tasked withCAP missions over theNile Delta. In January 1974 two F-5As armed withAIM-9Bs and20mm cannons intercepted a pair ofIsraeli Air ForceMirage IIICJs on areconnaissance mission. The Israelis turned away once the F-5As were detected, dragging both RMAF fighters behind them. Concerned about a possible ambush by IsraeliF-4E Phantom IIs, theEgyptian Air Force ground control ordered both Moroccan fighters to return, replacing them with twoEAFMiG-21MFs.[15]
At the beginning of theWestern Sahara War,Fouga Magisters (based atLaayoune) andNorth American T-6 Texans (based atDakhla) were used for ground support.[16] Later on, the F-5s went into action, to strikePOLISARIO targets.[17]
In 1980, construction of theSahara defensive walls began, consisting of several types of obstacles forinfantry and armoured vehicles, such as mine fields andbarbed wire. Radars and other electronic sensors were used to detect infiltration attempts, all backed by Quick Intervention Units (Détachements d'Intervention Rapide) able to move to and quickly reinforce attacked outposts along the wall.[18] It was also decided to useAérospatiale SA 342 Gazelle helicopters withHOT missiles to engage thePOLISARIO's armoured vehicles andtechnicals from outside the range of lightanti-aircraft guns.[19] Apart from the ground radars of the Wall, two C-130 Hercules equipped withSLARs were also used for the detection of enemy units.[20] However, the first portion of the wall, completed in 1982, protected only the area considered as “useful” for Morocco's political and economic interests, that is, the capitalLaayoune, the religious centerSmara, and thephosphate fields ofBou Craa.[21]
After the loss of nine F-5As during combat operations against the POLISARIO, 16 F-5Es and 4 F-5Fs were acquired in October 1979.[22] The main problem that faced Moroccan fighter-bombers in Western Sahara was their insufficient range over the vast battlefield of theSahara desert. To address it, in 1982, aBoeing 707-138B was fitted with Beech hose units at the wingtips for refueling. Two Lockheed KC-130Hs were also delivered, and all of the F-5Es were modified withaerial refueling probes.[23]
In December 1977, the Royal Moroccan Air Force started receiving its first Mirage F1CHs.[12] Even though the Mirage F1CH was designed as aninterceptor, it was used almost exclusively for ground attack in the war against the POLISARIO.[24] The last of a total of 30 Mirage F1CHs were received in December 1979. Additionally, 20 Mirage F1EHs (including six equipped with in-flight refuelling probes) were delivered between December 1979 and July 1982.[25]
Together with the F-5E/Fs, the FRA decided to buy a total of 24OV-10As from theUnited States Marine Corps. However, only the first six aircraft were delivered. They were mostly used in amaritime patrol role and for reconnaissance due to their inefficiency in combat.[26]
In late 2014 Morocco sent F-16s into combat againstISIL inIraq andSyria.[27][28] This was the first deployment for the jets since Morocco purchased them in 2011.[29][13]
The Royal Moroccan Air Force started a progressive modernization program of its ageing fleet and their technical and operational capacities.[30]
Improvements to F-5A/B were realised with the installation of "Tiger II" avionics on, probably, 8 F-5A and 2 F-5B.[31] A contract was stipulated with the French companySOGERMA at Bordeaux (France), all aircraft were received by 1998.[32] From 2001 to 2004 the RMAF's F-5E/F received a full refurbishment and upgrade from SOGERMA. The upgraded improved the performance of the "Tiger II" to the level of the "Tiger III". The work carried up included:
The F-5E/F TIII acquired the capability to use new weapon systems such as Beyond Visual Range missiles and precise-guided weapons. RADA ACE ground debriefing station,[33] a Simulator andAN/AAQ-28(V) LITENING targeting pods have also been purchased.
In 2005, the RMAF started the 350 million euroMF2000 Dassault Mirage F1 upgrade program,[34][35] which has overhauled 27 Mirage F1s (F1CH, F1EH and F1EH-200) to the level ofMirage 2000-5 to improve survivability for the MF2000, that included :
The upgrade enabled the use of more advanced equipment as:
This upgrade was developed by ASTRAC (Association SagemThales pour la Rénovation d'Avions de Combat).
In 2007, Morocco formally requested 24T-6C Texan trainer aircraft, with very secondary light attack capability.
In 2008, a $2.4 billion order was placed for 24 F-16C/D Block 52+ aircraft as well as associated equipment and services,[36] with:
Later, from 2008 to 2012 the RMAF purchased advanced equipment for its F-16 fleet:
Advanced armament was also acquired:
In 2008, 4 C-27J Spartan tactical transport aircraft were also purchased fromFinmeccanica subsidiaryAlenia Aeronautica for 130 million euro,[37] and the advanced trainer andCAS/COIN aircraftAlpha Jet E fleet was upgraded to the "E+ standard".General Atomics received in 2010 export licenses to sell an unarmed export version of thePredator to Saudi Arabia, Egypt, U.A.E. and Morocco. Six aerial firefightingBombardier 415 Superscooper were also purchased in 2011. The modernization and upgrade of the former US Air Force base inBen Guerir Air Base to support its F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft is also important. In March 2013, it has been reported that the RMAF have purchased 3EADS HarfangMALE UAVs decommissioned by France, but these would not have been delivered until 2020.[38][39]
In 2015, 3 refurbishedCH-47D were received from the US, to be added to the 9CH-47C delivered in 1979 and 1982 (originally 12 were acquired).[40]
In 2019, Government of Morocco requested purchase of 25 F-16 block 72 and was approved byThe U.S. Department of State.[41] A $2.8 billion contract was signed in 2020.[42] First shipment of 12 new Vipers will be received in 2021.[43]
It has been proposed to upgrade the existing F-16s to the Block 72 standard.[44]
24 Apache helicopters were also ordered in 2020.[42]
In January 2011, a Royal Moroccan Air Force F-5 crashed while trying to land at the airport of the military base nearMeknes and a pilot was killed in the crash.[45]
In July 2011, a Royal Moroccan Air ForceC-130H crash killed 78 people after the aircraft, en route fromDakhla, a city in Morocco toKenitra Air Base inKenitra, crashed 9.7 km (6 mi) from a planned stop-over atGuelmim Air Base. The 6 crew, 60 members of the army and 12 civilians, mainly partners travelling with their partners, perished in the accident.
In November 2012, nine soldiers were killed and two seriously injured in aSA330 Puma crash in the same region ofGuelmim during a combined forces exercise.[46]
On May 11, 2015, a Royal Moroccan Air Force F-16 which was taking part in air campaign in Yemen crashed due to technical faults.[47]
On 16 August 2015, a Mirage F1 was lost after a bird strike.[48]
On 21 January 2019, a Mirage F1 has crashed in Taounat area due to a technical problem. The pilot ejected before the crash.[49]
| Rank group | General / flag officers | Senior officers | Junior officers | |||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Royal Moroccan Air Force[50] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | |||||||||||||
| Général d'armée aerienne | Général de corps aerienne | Général de division aerienne | Général de brigade aerienne | Colonel major | Colonel | Lieutenant-colonel | Commandant | Capitaine | Lieutenant | Sous-lieutenant | ||||||||||||||
| Rank group | Senior NCOs | Junior NCOs | Enlisted | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Royal Moroccan Air Force[50] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | No insignia | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Adjudant-chef | Adjudant | Sergent-major | Sergent-chef | Sergent | Caporal-chef | Caporal | Soldat de première classe | Soldat de deuxième classe | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Equipment |
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