Royal Moroccan Air Force

The Royal Moroccan Air Force (RMAF) is structured to perform a range of missions, primarily focused on the defense of national airspace, reconnaissance, and providing air support for ground forces. Its organizational framework consists of several commands, including fighter, transport, and training units. The force's doctrine is heavily influenced by the strategic need to maintain territorial integrity, shaped by the long-standing Western Sahara conflict and regional dynamics, particularly with neighboring Algeria. This has led to an emphasis on counter-insurgency, desert warfare, and combined air-land operations.

Operational capabilities are centered on a mixed fleet of combat aircraft. The RMAF balances multi-role capabilities with specialized tasks like air superiority and ground attack. This is complemented by a varied helicopter fleet used for transport, medical evacuation, and special operations. The RMAF also conducts critical intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions. Joint exercises, particularly the annual "African Lion" with United States forces, are a key component of its operational readiness, enhancing interoperability in areas such as air-to-air refueling, aeromedical evacuation, and tactical air control.

The RMAF has a history of combat engagements. It participated in the 1963 Sand War, the 1973 Yom Kippur War on the Egyptian front, and extensively in the Western Sahara War. More recently, it has been involved in the international intervention against ISIL and the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen. These operations have provided the force with significant operational experience. A Moroccan F-16 was reported lost due to a technical fault during operations over Yemen in 2015.

To address the limitations of an aging inventory, the RMAF recently acquired F-16 Block 72 fighters, and started the upgrading of its existing F-16 fleet. The helicopter force is also being enhanced through the procurement of AH-64E Apache attack helicopters. Additionally, the RMAF is expanding its unmanned aerial vehicle capabilities, having purchased various systems, and has also upgraded its transport and trainer aircraft fleets. These acquisitions are primarily from U.S. and French suppliers.