The Royal Moroccan Armed Forces have officially received their first six AH-64E Apache Guardian attack helicopters as part of a broader defense procurement agreement with the United States.
A ceremony was held on Wednesday to receive the first batch of six Apache AH-64E combat helicopters at the 1st Royal Air Force Base in Salé.The ceremony was attended by the Minister Delegate to the Head of Government in charge of National Defense Administration, Abdeltif Loudyi, the Minister of Industry and Commerce, Ryad Mezzour, the Minister Delegate to the Minister of Economy and Finance in charge of the Budget, Fouzi Lekjaa, Lieutenant General Mohammed Berrid, Inspector General of the FAR and Commander of the Southern Zone, Lieutenant General Mohammed Haramou, Commander of the Royal Gendarmerie, and Major General Mohammed Gadih, Inspector of the Royal Air Force, according to a statement from the General Staff of the FAR.
The ceremony also saw the participation of a high-level U.S. delegation led by General Michael Langley, Commander of U.S. Africa Command (USAFRICOM), and Aimee Cutrona, Chargé d’Affaires of the U.S. Embassy in Morocco.
This initial delivery is part of a contract signed in 2019 for the acquisition of 36 AH-64E Apaches, which includes 24 confirmed units with an option to purchase an additional 12 for 4.25 billion dollars.