Morocco Order Africa's First AESA Radar Equipped Fighter Jets F-16V Vipers

F-16V 

Alongside a large order for 220 Abrams tanks, acquired refurbished from the United States under the
U.S. Army’s Excess Defense Articles Program, Morocco’s armed forces are reportedly considering the acquisition of a dozen elite variants of the F-16 Fighting Falcon - known as the F-16V ‘Viper.’ The Moroccan Air Force received 24 F-16C fighters from 2011-2012, many of which were twin seat F-16D trainer variants, and the Fighting Falcon today forms the mainstay of the country’s aerial warfare capabilities. The North African kingdom also fields a sizable fleet of F-5E Tiger twin engine light fighters, a platform dating back to the Vietnam War which has since been extensively upgraded and is prized for its versatility and extremely low maintenance requirements.

An F-16V On Full Load Out

First unveiled in 2012, the F-16V has been marketed to a number of the United States’ third world allies as a relatively inexpensive and light platform which integrates a number of high end technologies - namely advanced electronic warfare capabilities and a powerful AESA radar. Use of this type of radar allows the fighters to operate with a minimal radar signature, much as stealth fighters such as the American F-22 Raptor and Chinese J-20 do, which significantly improves their survivability in beyond visual range engagements. Old F-16 variants, including the F-16A which first entered service in 1978, can also be upgraded to the F-16V standard with the installation of new avionics.

Should Morocco proceed to acquire the 12 F-16V jets planned, its air force could well field the very first AESA radar equipped jets on the African continent - depending on when Egypt's costly Rafale fighters themselves reach full operational capability. Plans to acquire the F-16V come at a time when Morocco is reportedly also showing interest in acquiring S-400 surface to air missile batteries from Russia, though the United States has since applied considerable pressure to its allies not to make purchases of high end Russian weapons systems which is likely to seriously impede a potential acquisition. With Moroccan arms acquisitions largely made with preparations for conflict with neighboring Algeria in mind, the ability of the F-16V to engage the elite fighters of the Algerian Air Force remains in serious question. The Vipers’ considerably quieter radar is a considerable asset in their favour, though they are otherwise outmatched in all fields by Algeria’s elite twin engine air superiority fighters - the Su-30MKA - which fly higher and are more heavily armed, faster, more maneuverable than the F-16 - while retaining a considerably longer air to air engagement range. Nevertheless, acquiring the Vipers will considerably strengthen Moroccan aerial warfare capabilities and provide a relatively cost effective means of modernizing the country’s fleet.