Morocco is preparing to add a new warship to its navy next month, with the country expected to receive its first military vessel built in Spain in more than 40 years.
The ship, an Avante 1800 patrol vessel built by Spanish shipbuilder Navantia, is due to arrive in July and is worth about $150m, according to Spanish media reports.
The vessel will be delivered without weapons. The Royal Moroccan Navy will install its own combat systems and equipment before putting it into service.
The delivery marks the first time since 1983 that Spain has supplied a warship to Morocco. The last vessel was the Teniente Coronel Errahmani corvette, which served in the Moroccan navy for decades.
Designed for patrol and security missions at sea, the Avante 1800 is 87 metres long, can carry a crew of 60 and has a top speed of 24 knots.
The ship can later be fitted with guns, missile systems and electronic warfare equipment. It is expected to help Morocco protect its waters, monitor shipping routes and tackle smuggling and illegal migration.
Spanish newspaper Atalayar said the deal reflects the strong relationship between Rabat and Madrid, which has grown closer in recent years.
Relations between the two countries improved significantly after Spain backed Morocco’s autonomy plan for the Sahara in 2022. Since then, the neighbours have expanded cooperation in trade, security and defence.
The warship contract has also provided a boost to Spain’s shipbuilding industry. Reports say construction of the vessel generated more than one million hours of work and supported around 1,100 jobs at Navantia’s shipyard in Cádiz.
The new vessel will join Morocco’s modern fleet, which includes the frigate Mohammed VI and three SIGMA-class corvettes.
