Morocco has awarded two contracts worth €400 million to two French defense companies, French media La Tribune reported, adding that the official announcement will be made during President Emmanuel Macron’s planned visit to the kingdom in February.
Nexter, a state-owned weapon manufacturer will, under a first deal valued at €200 million, supply an artillery systems set up on Caesar truck (€170 million) and ammunition for a price tag put at €30 million.
The second deal involves MBDA, a European missile manufacturer which according to the French media, sold to the kingdom in 2019 VL-Mica ground missiles for a value of €200 million.
The two contracts have been kept secret but are set to be announced during 12-13 Feb visit of President Macron to Rabat.
Also in the pipeline, Naval Group, a major French defense contractor, will set up a vessel maintenance workshop at Casablanca port.
Morocco is reportedly mulling plans to acquire submarines and has begun consultations with KTMS, Navantia, Naval Group, all naval vessels constructors.
France used to be one of the North African country’s main defense equipment supplier but Rabat recently developed a taste for US defense knowhow and hardware.
Military deals between the kingdom and France between 2008 and 2018 amount to €1.8 billion. The biggest contracts were signed in 2003 (€874.3 million) and 2013 (€584.9 million).