The U.S. State Department has approved the sale to Morocco of 600 FIM-92K Stinger Block I missiles and related equipment for $825 million.
The military sale will help 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, the U.S. Defense security cooperation agency said in a press release.
The deal will improve Morocco’s capability to meet current and future threats. The FIM-92K Stinger Block I missile is a sophisticated evolution of the iconic Stinger family, a man-portable air-defense system (MANPADS) that has been a cornerstone of short-range air defense since its introduction in 1981.
The sale was greenlighted as Morocco and the US brace for the organization of a new edition of Africa’s largest military drills, the African Lion, which came to symbolize the close military cooperation between the two countries.
Manufactured by Raytheon Missiles & Defense, the Stinger is designed to counter low-flying aircraft, helicopters, and, increasingly, unmanned aerial vehicles (drones). The FIM-92K variant, derived from the FIM-92J, is optimized for vehicle-based launchers, incorporating a datalink that allows the missile to receive targeting information from the launching platform’s sensors rather than relying solely on its own infrared seeker.
This enhancement improves accuracy and effectiveness, particularly against small, agile targets like drones. The missile features a dual-stage solid-fuel rocket motor, delivering a range of approximately 4.8 miles and a ceiling of about 10,000 feet. Its high-explosive warhead, equipped with a proximity fuze, ensures lethality even if a direct hit is not achieved, making it particularly effective against UAVs and other small targets.
The Stinger’s infrared homing system, resistant to many countermeasures, allows it to engage targets from all aspects, including head-on, a significant improvement over earlier systems like the FIM-43 Redeye. With a weight of just 33.5 pounds and a length of 59.1 inches, the Stinger remains highly portable, though the FIM-92K’s vehicle integration enhances its operational flexibility.
The U.S. and Morocco signed in 2020, a 10-year defense cooperation roadmap, extending their collaborative efforts through 2030. This roadmap aims to enhance defense cooperation, forge robust partnerships, and ensure interoperability between the two nations.