The U.S. State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Morocco of ten (10) AGM-84L Harpoon Block II Air Launched missiles and related equipment for an estimated cost of $62 million. The Government of Morocco has requested to buy ten (10) AGM-84L Harpoon Block II Air Launched missiles and other related elements of logistics support. The total estimated cost is $62 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) delivered the required certification notifying Congress.
This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security of the United States by helping to improve the security of a major non-NATO ally that continues to be an important force for political stability and economic progress in North Africa. Implementation of this proposed sale will require annual trips to Morocco involving U.S. Government and contractor representatives for technical reviews, support, and oversight for approximately five years. There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness as a result of this proposed sale.
AGM-84L Harpoon Block II Air Launched missiles and support will increase the Royal Moroccan Air Force’s maritime partnership potential and align its capabilities with existing regional baselines. Morocco intends to use the missiles on its F-16, multi-role fighter aircraft to enhance its capabilities in effective defense of critical sea-lanes. Morocco will have no difficulty absorbing these missiles into its armed forces. The prime contractor will be The Boeing Company, St. Louis, Missouri. The purchaser typically requests offsets. Any offset agreement will be defined in negotiations between the purchaser and the contractors.
The Bush administration announced plans to sell Morocco 24 F-16C/D fighters and 24 T-6B trainers aircraft valued at up to $2.6 billion on 27 December 2007. The sale was officially announced on 6 June 2008 and deliveries commenced in July 2011. All F-16s were delivered by the end of August 2012. The U.S government has approved the sale of 25 new F-16 Block 72s and related equipment for an estimated cost of $3.787 billion to Morocco as well as an upgrade package to bring the existing 23 F-16 Block 50/52+ up to the very similar F-16V standard plus the related equipment for an estimated cost of $985.2 million.
