Mohammed Isa Al Abbasi 
Spanish arms sales to Morocco increased by nearly 13 times (more than 1264 percent) between 2023 and 2024, to reach in the last year to 21 million euros, for a million and a half million euros only in the previous year, according to ministerial data reported by the Spanish newspaper “Okdario”.
The same source stated that the vast majority of these Moroccan military imports of Madrid were in the form of bombs and pours, noting that “sales of parts and attachments of weapons and equipment to Morocco witnessed a qualitative leap, as it moved from more than 10 thousand euros in 2023 to about 8 million euros last year, in which Morocco also bought rifles and machine gun The hundred compared to the previous year. ”
While this recorded dynamic cannot be separated from the results of Spanish support for Moroccan sovereignty over the Sahara, the military industry in this European country plays an important role in securing many national defense needs, as well as the needs of some of the Madrid partner countries.
The Spanish defense factories produce a variety of equipment and weapons, such as “Leopard 2 A” tanks, and the “C90-CR” missile launcher, then warships and other other pieces, as well as their participation in European manufacturing projects for many qualitative weapons, especially those related to offensive flight and enhancing the capabilities of maritime defense, similar to the “European Corvette” project, as the European Union is betting As part of his defense strategy to obtain at least 40 percent of military equipment cooperatively by 2030.
Military partnership and strategic interests
In his interaction with this topic, Hisham Mu’tadid, a researcher in strategic affairs, said that “the great rise in the sales of Spanish weapons to Morocco reflects a qualitative development in strategic relations between the two countries, transcends the economic dimension to the level of security and military partnership,” adding that “the increase in the proportion of military exports, with a focus on ammunition such as bombs and amplifiers, indicates Morocco’s desire to enhance its defense and offensive capabilities, This is consistent with his continuous strategy to modernize his military arsenal and ensure regional excellence.
“This development also shows Spain’s willingness to enhance its influence in North Africa through the portal of military cooperation, while preserving its strategic interests in the region,” Al -Marsa added, highlighting that “this rapid escalation in military exports is linked to several factors. On the one hand, Spain seeks to compensate for European pressure to increase its defensive spending by strengthening its military exports, which reduces the burden on its public budget; On the other hand, this cooperation is in line with the joint security interests in combating terrorism, securing the maritime borders, and ensuring stability in a troubled area.
Muddad stressed that “this cooperation will develop in the future to include the transfer of military technology and the training of Moroccan forces on the use of modern equipment; Morocco seeks to diversify the sources of its armament, and therefore the geographical proximity and military integration with Spain provides him with a great strategic advantage, “noting that” cooperation between the two countries at this level may include more advanced areas, such as air defense systems, warships, and even drones. “
The spokesman concluded that “the prospects for Moroccan-Spanish military cooperation are very promising, and may turn into a successful Mediterranean military partnership model,” highlighting that “with continued geopolitical tensions in the region, this cooperation is likely to enhance the defense capabilities of Morocco, and at the same time provides Spain an opportunity to confirm its military presence in North Africa; Accordingly, this precise balance, if it is manifested with wisdom, can turn into a real lever for regional security and stability, while ensuring the interests of both parties in the long run.
Sovereignty and security files
For his part, Al -Hussein Oloudi, a researcher in political geography and security issues, explained that “military cooperation between Morocco and Spain, whether through weapons holdings or through the exchange of experiences, experiences and common military maneuvers between the army of the two countries, is not a new matter, but it took an accelerated path after Madrid changed its position on the Sahara issue and its support for Moroccan sovereignty over the southern regions under the self -government plan.”
Oloudi added, in a statement to the electronic newspaper Hespress, that “strengthening this cooperation is very important for security and stability in the two banks of the Mediterranean,” stressing that “the accelerated growth in Spanish weapons exports to Morocco comes in light of a national sovereign orientation to strengthen the capabilities of the Royal Armed Forces and integrate the latest weapons into the Moroccan military arsenal, in addition to diversifying partnerships at this level.”
The same spokesman highlighted that “Madrid is an important European partner for Morocco by virtue of a set of historical, cultural and political factors, as well as geography, which makes the supply of weapons from Spain less expensive in logistical aspect compared to import from other countries,” stressing that “Morocco today leads an ambitious project to settle the defense industry, and therefore it can rely on its Spanish partner to activate this strategic workshop.”
The researcher also pointed out that there is a group of major security files presented today on the Mediterranean scene, which is imposed on all countries, especially Morocco and Spain, to enhance their cooperation in the military and security part in order to confront and overcome them through the exchange of experiences and the transfer of military and technical expertise, especially since the two countries are coming to organize common global demonstrations.
