The Royal Navy is due to take possession this Thursday, September 17, of the Moulay Hassan I patrol vessel built in Spain. The signing will go ahead, but the official ceremony bringing together the authorities of both countries has been cancelled following the Sebta crisis.
A yacht attributed to Mohammed VI was filmed off the coast of Ceuta on Thursday, September 10. Flying the Moroccan flag, the sailboat was sailing in front of several vessels that appeared to be accompanying it.
Spain is strengthening its military presence on the islets it controls off the coast of Morocco. Spanish officials reportedly fear imminent Moroccan action amid heightened tensions between Rabat and Madrid.
Morocco now reportedly holds an advantage over Spain in a field that has become central to modern armed forces: drones. This is the assessment made by Francisco Bendala, a former Spanish lieutenant-colonel, who nevertheless acknowledges Madrid’s superiority in the air and at sea.
Before authorizing the sale of two naval drones to Morocco, the Dutch government examined the risk of them being used in the conflict in the Sahara. The Hague ultimately gave the green light, deeming such a scenario unlikely.
The Royal Navy will strengthen its capabilities with two unmanned surface vessels, designed for fighting submarines and marine mines . The contract, subject to Dutch export authorization, reaches 13 million euros.
Nearly 200 migrants, mostly Algerian, reportedly attempted to reach Ceuta by swimming during Spain’s World Cup victory celebrations. Moroccan authorities intercepted several dozen people before their arrival in the city.
Morocco is accelerating the modernization of its military arsenal. The Royal Navy will receive by August the "Moulay Hassan," a state-of-the-art vessel manufactured in Spain, significantly strengthening the Kingdom’s maritime power.
Facing regional tensions and to secure the Strait of Gibraltar, Morocco is considering acquiring a submarine fleet. While a South Korean report mentions a delivery in 2027, experts urge caution regarding this ambitious project.
Naval Group is deploying a diplomatic and industrial strategy to convince Morocco to acquire two Scorpène submarines . Faced with Spanish and German competition, Paris is strengthening its strategic dialogue to secure this major contract in the Mediterranean.
The possibility of a transfer of American military bases from Spain to Morocco remains a technically and legally limited option, despite the pressure exerted by the Trump administration on Madrid regarding its defense spending.
Navantia has almost finished the construction of the patrol vessel ordered by the Royal Moroccan Navy. The delivery of the Avante 1800 is scheduled for 2026.