[ACCI-CAVIE] The F-16 fighter jets will be equipped with the latest generation of electronic defence systems developed by the company L3HARRIS
As part of the ongoing development, research and promotion of the air defence capabilities of the Royal Moroccan Armed Forces (RFAM), the Kingdom’s central administration has reached an agreement with the aerospace and defence company L3HARRIS for the implementation of the latest and most effective methods of defence. The new system, which will act as a shield, is the American Viper Shield EW, whose main feature is electronic defence against possible digital jamming attacks, and EMP attacks (Pulse Electromagnetic Attacks). The company, selected in 2021 by the US Department of Defence, is responsible for the development of air defence systems for more than a dozen countries in Europe and Africa.
Morocco is gradually becoming a regional and global military power, basing much of its effectiveness on a modern air force, such as its Royal Air Force (RFA), which, duly supported by anti-aircraft systems, achieves the necessary deterrent effect against potential enemies. The US company claimed that the electronic warfare system had successfully passed initial tests, explaining that the new system was designed for the fighter with a virtual electronic shield, and the multi-frequency digital jamming system would improve the protection of military aircraft.
In a context of tensions in the region, and with bordering Algeria also involved in the arms race, very recently the Moroccan Institute for Political Analysis (MIPA) published a paper signed by researcher Francesco Macci, highlighting new acquisitions and ongoing orders. The strengthening of the RFA through the acquisition of new weapons and technologies is explained in part by economic reasons, but above all for strategic reasons, whose nature is defensive and linked to the maintenance of stability and military balance in the troubled Maghreb region. In order to rationalise this expenditure and create an industrial fabric in this field, the North African country intends to strengthen the aircraft maintenance, repair and production sector in order to reduce its dependence on imports.
The new system enables the detection of radar threats and the provision of digital countermeasures, while the advanced digital radar receiver is integrated with the APG-83 radar, which has an active electronic scanning function. Under the agreements, the US company committed to integrating weapons delivery systems on the F-16. Ed Zoiss, president of Space and Airbone Systems at L3HARRIS, commented that, “As the only EW system for these aircraft to successfully achieve this thread called CDR (Critical Design Review), we are one step closer to helping our global customers detect and defeat advanced, modern threats.”
The US Congress had earlier agreed to make some changes to the purchase and development of F-16 fighters in Morocco, including providing these warplanes with a wireless data link information exchange system, through which field information can be instantly and securely exchanged between pilots and command on the ground. For MIPA researcher Francisco Macci, the UK can play an important role in the Middle East, thus detracting from the capital invested by other neighbouring nations such as Libya and Algeria.
While increasing the fleet may be necessary for smaller missions, it is true that international reputation is measured by the modernity of, mainly, battle tanks and air and anti-aircraft capabilities. Morocco is working to rehabilitate its military arsenal by developing a fleet of F-16 aircraft in a US workshop, where fighter capabilities are being reinforced and refurbished with the latest technological systems to meet the needs of the Moroccan air force. Rabat’s military spending since the beginning of the last decade has only increased at a year-on-year growth rate of 4.3%.
So far, the Alaouite kingdom has shown no interest in new models, concentrating all its efforts, both economic and R&D, on the F-16. José María Viñals, a partner at Squire Patton Boggs, explained in Negocios Televisión: “Fighter jets have a higher risk, a fighter can fly in a matter of seconds over the airspace of another country, and therefore it can be considered a violation of its airspace and this can lead to an escalation of tensions. Let’s not forget that an F-16 fighter can fly from the Ukrainian border to Moscow, which is only a four-hour drive away, in a matter of minutes”.
By Enrique Fernández & LB