US approves $524 million HIMARS artillery sale to Morocco
The proposed sale, which also includes guided air-to-ground bombs, comes as Morocco draws closer to the United States and rival Algeria pursues stronger ties with Russia.
WASHINGTON — The Biden administration on Tuesday approved a $524 million sale of HIMARS mobile artillery systems for Morocco, along with a $250 million sale of guided precision air-to-ground bombs.
The State Department notified Congress on Tuesday of the two proposals that include 18 high mobility artillery rocket systems (HIMARS) launchers, 40 army tactical missile systems (ATACMS), 72 guided multiple launch rocket systems (GMLRS) munitions, 9 HMMWV vehicles and 40 AGM-154C joint standoff weapons (JSOW).
Why it matters: If approved, the sale would pave the way for the first transfer of HIMARS systems to a North African country. Among Arab states, only Jordan and the United Arab Emirates possess the Lockheed-made system.
HIMARS systems have been pivotal in enabling Ukraine's military to claw back its territory from Russia, but not even Kyiv has earned US approval to receive the long-range ATACM missiles, which can reach nearly 200 miles.
