Royal Moroccan Air Force
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The Royal Moroccan Air Force (RMAF) (Arabic: القوات الجوية الملكية المغربية ; transliterated: al-Qoat al-Jaoiyah al-Malakiyah al-Maghribiyah) is the official air force of Morocco. The Royal Moroccan Air Force flies a variety of Western-built airplanes.
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[edit] Royal Moroccan Air Force wars
In the 1970s, a sub-saharan rebel group, called POLISARIO demanded independence of the Western Sahara from Morocco. The then-ruling King, Hassan II started a war against the POLISARIO. The RMAF had a key role in this war. The Moroccan Air Force let the Polisario-Guerillias retreat to Algeria, in Tindouf.
Some RMAF planes were shot down, including 2 C-130 Hercules, 5 F-5As and 2 Mirages.
Since then, the Moroccan Air Force still flies CAPs (Combat Air Patrol) over the Sahara.
There are 8 RMAF-Air Force bases in Morocco. The biggest are Meknes AFB, Marrakesh AB, Rabat/Sale AFB and Kenitra AFB.
[edit] Moroccan AF Upgrades
In the beginning of the 1990's, Morocco wanted to update or upgrade it's Air Force. In the beginning, they negotiated with the USA for 24 F-16, but that deal was not completed. In 2002, when a war was near with Spain because of the little Island of "Leyla" just off the coast of Northern Morocco. Morocco knew that in case of a war, they wouldn't have a big chance of winning it.
Saudi Arabia wanted to grant to Morocco 12 AH-64 Apache, with additional financial help but the deal was not completed. The United Arab Emirates, or UAE did also gave financial help to Morocco, to strenghthen it's Air Force.
Luckily, it never came near a war. The Moroccan troops who did occupy the dispiuted island, were transported back to Morocco, after which the Spanish Air Force and Navy did take over the occupied Island.
From 1998, until 2004 the Moroccan Mirage F-1's did receive new Radar-systems and Navigation/Communication Hardware from France ( MATRA , MICA missiles ).
Since 1998, Morocco also had talks with France, over the High-Tech Dassault Rafale Fighterjets. Saudi-Arabia will pay for these fighterjets, because it's too expensive for Morocco. The Royal houses of Saudi-Arabia and Morocco have a good relation with each other. After years, Morocco, France and Saudi Arabia finally came to an agreement, for 18 Rafale Fighterjets.
[edit] Fighter Jets/Bombers
- 18 Rafale
- 50 Mirage F1
- 37 F-5 Freedom Fighter
- 4 Il-28
[edit] Training Jets
- 12 T-34C-1
- 14 Cessna T-37
- 10 FFA AS-202
- 24 Dassault-Breguet/Dornier Alpha Jet
- 32 CM170
- 28 Aermacchi F-260
- 12 T-2 Buckeye
- 6 OV-10
- 60 T-6 Texan
- 25 T-28 Trojan
- 3 MS.893
- 8 MS.885
- 2 MS.760
- 6 MS.733
- 2 Mig-15
- 12 Mig-17
- 20 K-8
[edit] Transport planes/Utility
- 17 C-130 Hercules
- 7 CASA CN-235
- 2 Beech 50
- 6 Beech 100
- 4 Beech 200
- 3 Beech 300
- 1 Cessna 414
- 1 Cessna 421
- 10 C-160
[edit] Tankers
- 3 Boeing 707
- 1 KC-135
- 2 KC-130
[edit] VIP Jets
- 2 Gulfstream II
- 1 Gulfstream III
- 1 Cessna 560
- 2 Falcon 20
- 1 Falcon 50
- 1 Falcon 100
[edit] Attack Helicopters
- 22 Bell 206
- 12 AH-64
- 20 Mi-24
- 12 Gazelle SA-342 HOT
- 12 Gazelle SA-342 Cannon-fitted
- 11 Alouette II
- 24 Hughes 500
- 10 HH-43
- 2 Eurocopter Panther
- 3 Eurocopter Dauphin
- 6 Agusta A109
[edit] Transport/Other Helicopters
- 34 SA-330F/G Puma
- 5 Bell 212
- 18 CH-47C Chinook
- 2 S-70 Blackhawk
- 48 Bell 204
- 24 Bell 205
- 4 S-58
- 1 S-61
- 20 Mi-8
[edit] Main Battle Tanks
- 150 T-72
- 224 M48 Patton
- 300 M60 Patton tank
- 154 M-113
- 365 Véhicule de l'Avant Blindé
- 60 Ratel-90
- 45 OT-62
- 45 OT-64
- 50 BMP-1
- 300 BMP-3
- 110 AMX-10 RC
- 300 T-55
- 190 AML-90
- 100 SK-105
- 30 M-163
- 300 BTR-90
- 12 Tunguska M-1
- 420 M109 howitzer
- 60 M-88
- 60 M110 howitzer
- 50 M-54 Chaparral
- 50 BRDM-1
- 100 AMX Mk F3
[edit] Véhicles Armored
- M1009
- M998
- M151
- VLRA
- URO VAM-TL
- M1025
- RAM-V1
- Land Rover Defender
- Auverland
- Nissan ML-6
- Land Cruiser
- Hummer H1
[edit] Véhicles of transport
- TRM-10000
- TRM-2000
- M35 2-1/2 ton cargo truck
- SLT-50
- UROVESA
- Pegaso 3055
- M-813
- M-923
- M-816
- M49
- M-818
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