4. (SBU) The Moroccan military has undertaken a sweeping
... effort to modernize a military force that fields
predominantly Korean and Vietnam War era equipment. While
the F-16 and T-6 sales from the vast bulk of the dollar
figure for this modernization, the total Foreign Military
Sales and Foreign Military Financing portfolio totals some
120 cases in excess of USD 3 billion. The list of pending or
prospective sales includes 200 M1A1 main battle tanks; CH-47D
and SH-60 rotary wing aircraft; Gulfstream and Beechcraft
operational/Distinguished Visitor (DV) support aircraft;
Hawk, Chaparral and Stinger anti-aircraft systems; and
solicitations for surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft
and unmanned aerial vehicles. Morocco is the second largest
recipient of excess defense articles (EDA) from the U.S
These sales and transfers permit the Moroccan military both
to hold its position as a regional power and be able to
participate as a coalition partner. They further solidify
the substantial U.S. inclination by the Moroccan military,
although there are competitors that can dramatically underbid
U.S. offerings, and Morocco does not limit itself to U.S.
equipment