Mil News Africa Military News Thread

[Moro]

Polisario patrol hit by landmine after breach of buffer zone

Headlines, Maghreb, Morocco
June 4, 2019
A Polisario militiaman was killed and two others were injured in a landmine explosion as a patrol of the separatist group came near the security wall in the demilitarized area.
The incident shows once more Polisairo’s recurring provocations of the Moroccan army and their violation of the 1991 ceasefire agreement, which bans any military deployment in the buffer zone.
UN Security Council resolution 2468 called on the Polisario to abstain from any destabilizing act in the region.
Morocco started building the wall during the guerrilla warfare with the Polisario, which broke out in the late 1970s in a cold war context. The completion of the wall enabled the Moroccan army to chase the Polisario militiamen within the Sahara without conducting hot pursuits into the Algerian territory where the Separatists are based.
Morocco handed the buffer zone east of the security wall to the UN mission in the Sahara MINURSO by virtue of the 1991 ceasefire agreement.
Separately, a patrol of the Royal Armed Forces stopped in Dakhla a four-wheel drive with 1800 kg of drugs on board, le360.ma website reported.
The drug traffickers had connections with the Polisario militias, army news website FAR-Maroc said, adding that the Polisario leaders are keen on smuggling more cannabis through the Moroccan-Algerian borders.
The Polisario leaders are also sensing an impending draining of Algerian finances, which may in turn affect their revenues hence their quest for alternative sources of funding such as embezzlement of humanitarian aid and all sorts of drugs and human trafficking.

Polisario patrol hit by landmine after breach of buffer zone – The North Africa Post

northafricapost.com

 

[AAR Galileo]

Mali:

Thursday, June 13 late in the evening, the French soldiers of the Barkhane force conducted an airborne operation against an armed terrorist group, in the south of Liptako Malian, near Niger. This action, carried out in liaison with the Malian Armed Forces (FAMa), was launched in coordination with the Nigerien army acting south of the border, and thanks to its intelligence.

Supported by a Tiger helicopter patrol and a Reaper drone, Barkhane's commandos engaged in a forested area in the Azabara region to directly confront the terrorist group that had been spotted there. In this commitment, which continued for the next day, the commandos also benefited from the support of the Mirage 2000, who carried out a sequence of strikes on the positions where the enemy had entrenched himself, and then the deployment of an armored subgroup and FAMa.

On June 14, a GAZELLE-type helicopter deployed in support of the ground troops was forced into an emergency landing (it was downed by enemy fire and is not recoverable). The three crew members were evacuated during an IMex (Immediate Extraction - first time used in combat by France) by an another helicopter then flown to the GAO medical unit and then evacuated to France as a precautionary measure. Their days are not in danger.
The armored sub-group secured the landing zone and disabled the remainder of terrorists in the area.

More than twenty terrorists were put out of action thanks to this operation. The excavations of the zone carried out by BARKHANE and FAMa made it possible to seize a great quantity of resources among which more than twenty motorcycles, observation and communication system, as well as lot of armament.

 

[Moro]

Morocco requests $250 million F-16 sustainment contract

Morocco has requested a $250.4 million support package from the United States for its F-16 fleet, which would include spares, training and logistics support.
The US State Department on 27 June said it had approved the possible Foreign Military Sale, with Congress notified of the possible deal.
The request covers F-16 support equipment, spares and repair parts; personnel training and training equipment; publications and technical documentation; munitions support equipment (for AMRAAM, CMBRE, JDAM, PAVEWAY), and support and test equipment, amongst others. The principal contractor will be Lockheed Martin....

Morocco requests $250 million F-16 sustainment contract - defenceWeb

Morocco has requested a $250.4 million support package from the United States for its F-16 fleet, which would include spares, training and logistics support. The US State Department on 27 June said it had approved the possible Foreign Military Sale, with Congress notified of the possible deal...

www.defenceweb.co.za

 

[Moro]

Morocco is Diversifying its Partners

Morocco wants to develop a local military industry in order to reduce its dependence on foreign arms. After signing military technology share deals with Spain and the UK, Morocco has signed a similar dealt with Brazil.
Morocco’s decision to foster its domestic military industry capabilities comes at a moment marked by a surge of instability in North Africa and an arms race with Algeria.
Morocco also held talks with Pakistan regarding the means of stepping up exchange of expertise and know-how.
On May 31, British trade minister Liam Fox said his country sees promising prospects to develop cooperation with Morocco in defense industry. A Moroccan source said that a joint venture was under preparation between Morocco and the UK’s Chemical Military Product (CMP), an ammunition manufacturer...

Morocco is Diversifying its Partners - iHLS

This post is also available in: עברית (Hebrew)Morocco wants to develop a local military industry in order to reduce its dependence on foreign arms. After signing military technology share deals with Spain and the UK, Morocco has signed a similar dealt with Brazil. Morocco’s decision to foster...

i-hls.com

 

[AAR Galileo]

Mali:

Little stories about a small force of french legionnaire mixed with hussard and some administrative staff against and attack of terrorists in April using VBIED, RPG, mortars, multiple assaults, .....

Even the cook went to the fight. The french forces used all their assault rifle ammo during the combat and they had to stop the last bad guy with pistol.

Opération Barkhane - Petites histoires de militaires une chaude journée d'avril à Tombouctou (Mali) (+MAJ 11)

NB: For an English version available, see here . Le 14 avril 2018, le camp de la MINUSMA à Tombouctou (centre du Mali), appelé " Super ...

translate.google.com

 

[Moro]

Morocco seeks submarine capabilities
Europe, Headlines, International, Maghreb, Morocco
July 16, 2019
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Set on modernizing its army, Morocco is showing interest in acquiring submarines, Portuguese defense minister said.
“Morocco is interested in developing sub-marine capabilities. We will work together with Morocco in that regard,” said Joao Gomes Carvinho following talks with Minister delegate in charge of defense, Abdellatif Loudiyi in Lisbon.
The Portuguese official said that the two navies could cooperate on an array of issues from countering illegal migration to fighting terrorism.
He said Portugal will offer sub-marine training to Moroccan navy staff during military exercises.
Morocco has acquired state-of-the-art frigates recently from France to reinforce and modernize its navy.
The Royal navy and its Portuguese counterpart took part few days ago in a military exercise baptized Multi Cooperative Exercise involving frigates and destroyers from France, Italy and Spain.
The navy drills aimed at strengthening cooperation on maritime security with a special focus on countering terrorism and fighting organized crime.

Morocco seeks submarine capabilities – The North Africa Post

northafricapost.com

 

[Moro]

Morocco seeking two ex-US C-130H Hercules transports
Morocco has requested the transfer of two C-130H Hercules transport aircraft from the United States under its Excess Defence Articles (EDA) programme.
The proposed grant is mentioned in a US House of Representatives report on the Committee on Foreign Affairs Survey of Activities. The report, published on 18 July, states that the notification was dated 11 June 2019...

Morocco seeking two ex-US C-130H Hercules transports - defenceWeb

Morocco has requested the transfer of two C-130H Hercules transport aircraft from the United States under its Excess Defence Articles (EDA) programme. The proposed grant is mentioned in a US House of Representatives report on the Committee on Foreign Affairs Survey of Activities. The report...

www.defenceweb.co.za

 

[Moro]

Morocco Requests Purchase of 24 New Apache Attack Helicopters from US
Morocco has allocated a $1.5 billion budget to purchase the 247 new Apache attack helicopters as part of a strategy to strengthen the military with sophisticated vehicles.
BY
SAFAA KASRAOUI
-
AUG 1, 2019 2:31 PM

....

Morocco Requests Purchase of 24 New Apache Attack Helicopters from US

US-managed website Export.gov reported that Morocco has requested the purchase of 24 new Apache attack helicopters from its main army supplier, the US.

www.moroccoworldnews.com

 

[Fish&Chips]

Piracy in Cameroon

Since I couldn't find a dedicated piracy thread, I put this here.

Greek bulk carrier attacked, 9 crew kidnapped – Maritime Bulletin

maritimebulletin.net

Two cargo ships have been attacked on 15 August off Cameroon's capital Douala, resulting in the kidnapping of several crew members. 9 people were abducted from Greek carrier "Victory C" while 8 crew were seized onboard an Antiguan ship called "MarMalaita". Among these are three Russian citizens.

Looks like the piracy business has long since spilled across the border from neighbouring Nigeria.

 

[Moro]

Morocco buys Ukrainian Bukovel AD counter drone system

Morocco buys Ukrainian Bukovel AD counter drone system | September 2019 Global Defense Security army news industry | Defense Security global news industry army 2019 | Archive News year

The Royal Moroccan Armed Forces (FAR) have acquired a counter-drone system named Bukovel-AD, designed by the Ukranian company Proximus.

www.armyrecognition.com

 

[Moro]

Morocco cleared for $985 million TOW missile and F-16 bomb purchases

US approves Morocco for $985 million TOW missile and F-6 bomb purchases

The US State Department approved a $985 million sale to Morocco of 2,400 anti-tank guided missiles and more than 6,000 bombs for its F-16s

thedefensepost.com

 

[BravoZulu]

Kenya:
MD Helicopters, Inc. is proud to announce it has been awarded a Firm Fixed-Price contract for the provision of Contractor Logistics Support (CLS), Contractor Field Service Representatives (CFSR), and both CONUS and OCONUS training. The contract – issued through Army Contracting Command-Redstone Arsenal on behalf of the Multinational Aviation Special Project Office (MASPO) – will provide support for the six (6) MD 530F Cayuse Warrior helicopters ordered for the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) via MD Helicopters’ 5-year $1.4B IDIQ Contract.

“We are pleased MD Helicopters was selected to provide mentorship, maintenance expertise, and Pilot and Maintainer training to the Kenya Defence Forces,” said Lynn Tilton, MD Helicopters, Inc. Chief Executive Officer. “As the aircraft OEM, no one is better suited to provide the full spectrum of aftermarket operations, training, and support services to our customers.”

Shipment of the 6-aircraft Kenyan MD 530F Cayuse Warrior fleet – which will include a U.S. Army-issued AWR – will be complete by the end of the year. Powered by the Rolls-Royce 250-C30 650shp turbine engine, these aircraft will feature an advanced, all-digital glass cockpit, ballistically tolerant crashworthy fuel system, Harris RF-7850A tactical radio, Rockwell Collins HF-9000D, and the full complement of mission equipment that is standard to the Cayuse Warrior

https://www.mdhelicopters.com/mdhi-...port-kenyan-md-530f-cayuse-warrior-fleet.html

 

[Moro]

It's confirmed, 36 Apaches for morocco,24 new and 12 optional?

WASHINGTON, November 20, 2019 - The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to Morocco of thirty-six (36) AH-64E Apache attack helicopters and related equipment for an estimated cost of $4.25 billion. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale on November 19, 2019.

The Government of Morocco has requested a possible sale of thirty-six (36) AH-64E Apache attack helicopters (24 new, 12 optional); seventy-nine (79) T700-GE-701D engines (72 installed, 6 spares); thirty-six (36) AN/ASQ-170 Modernized Target Acquisition and Designation Sight/AN/AAR-11 Modernized Pilot Night Vision Sensors (M-TADS/PNVS); eighteen (18) AN/APG-78 Fire Control Radars (FCR) with Radar Electronic Units (REU); eighteen (18) AN/APR-48B Modernized - Radar Frequency Interferometers (MRFI); five hundred fifty-one (551) AGM-114R Hellfire missiles (441 new, 110 optional); sixty (60) AGM-114L Hellfire missiles; seventy-two (72) M36E9 Hellfire Captive Air Training Missiles (CATM); five hundred eighty-eight (588) Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS) kits (478 installed, 110 optional); seventy-eight (78) Embedded Global Positioning Systems with Inertial Navigation (EGIs) (72 installed, 6 spares); thirty-nine (39) AAR-57 Common Missile Warning Systems (CMWS) (36 installed, 3 spares); and two hundred (200) AIM-92H Stinger missiles. Also included are twenty-one (21) Manned-Unmanned Teaming-2 (MUMT-2) video receivers (18 installed, 3 spares); thirty-nine (39) Manned-Unmanned Teaming-2 (MUMT-2) air-air-ground kits (36 installed, 3 spares); thirty-nine (39) AN/APR-39D(V)2 radar signal detecting sets (36 installed, 3 spares); thirty-nine (39) AN/AVR-2B laser detecting sets (36 installed, 3 spares); thirty-nine (39) AN/APX-123 or AN/APX-123A common transponders (36 installed, 3 spares); thirty-nine (39) IDM-401 Improved Data Modems (36 new, 3 spares); six (6) Link-16 terminals; thirty-nine (39) Improved Countermeasure Dispensing System (ICMD) (36 installed, 3 spares); thirty-nine (39) AN/ARN-149 (V)3 automatic direction finders (36 installed, 3 spares); thirty-nine (39) Doppler ASN-157 Doppler radar velocity sensors (36 installed, 3 spares); thirty-nine (39) AN/APN-209 radar altimeters (36 installed, 3 spares); thirty-nine (39) AN/ARN-153 Tactical Air Navigation (TACAN) sets (36 installed, 3 spares); four (4) TACAN ground stations; thirty-six (36) Very High Frequency Omni-Directional Range/Instrument Landing Systems (VOR/ILS) (36 installed, 3 new); twelve (12) AN/PYQ-10(C) simple key loader (12 new); thirty-six (36) M230E1 + M139 AWS automatic gun (36 new); eighty-one (81) M261 rocket launchers (72 new, 9 spares); seventy-eight (78) M299 missile launchers (72 new, 6 spares); fifty-three (53) Stinger Air-to-Air launchers (53 new); twenty-nine (29) Stinger Captive Flight Trainers (CFT) (29 new); eight (8) Stinger Aerial Handling Trainers (AHT) (8 new); five thousand two hundred sixteen (5,216) 2.75-inch rockets (3,896 new, 1,320 optional); ninety-three thousand (93,000) 30mm rounds (65,500 new, 27,500 optional); secure voice radios; training devices; communication systems; helmets; simulators; generators; transportation and organization equipment; spare and repair parts; support equipment; tools and test equipment; technical data and publications; personnel training and training equipment; U.S. Government and contractor technical assistance, technical and logistics support services; and other related elements of logistics support. The estimated cost is $4.25 billion...

Morocco – AH-64E Helicopters | The Official Home of the Defense Security Cooperation Agency

www.dsca.mil

 

[Mokordo]

It's confirmed, 36 Apaches for morocco,24 new and 12 optional?

WASHINGTON, November 20, 2019 - The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to Morocco of thirty-six (36) AH-64E Apache attack helicopters and related equipment for an estimated cost of $4.25 billion. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale on November 19, 2019.

The Government of Morocco has requested a possible sale of thirty-six (36) AH-64E Apache attack helicopters (24 new, 12 optional); seventy-nine (79) T700-GE-701D engines (72 installed, 6 spares); thirty-six (36) AN/ASQ-170 Modernized Target Acquisition and Designation Sight/AN/AAR-11 Modernized Pilot Night Vision Sensors (M-TADS/PNVS); eighteen (18) AN/APG-78 Fire Control Radars (FCR) with Radar Electronic Units (REU); eighteen (18) AN/APR-48B Modernized - Radar Frequency Interferometers (MRFI); five hundred fifty-one (551) AGM-114R Hellfire missiles (441 new, 110 optional); sixty (60) AGM-114L Hellfire missiles; seventy-two (72) M36E9 Hellfire Captive Air Training Missiles (CATM); five hundred eighty-eight (588) Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS) kits (478 installed, 110 optional); seventy-eight (78) Embedded Global Positioning Systems with Inertial Navigation (EGIs) (72 installed, 6 spares); thirty-nine (39) AAR-57 Common Missile Warning Systems (CMWS) (36 installed, 3 spares); and two hundred (200) AIM-92H Stinger missiles. Also included are twenty-one (21) Manned-Unmanned Teaming-2 (MUMT-2) video receivers (18 installed, 3 spares); thirty-nine (39) Manned-Unmanned Teaming-2 (MUMT-2) air-air-ground kits (36 installed, 3 spares); thirty-nine (39) AN/APR-39D(V)2 radar signal detecting sets (36 installed, 3 spares); thirty-nine (39) AN/AVR-2B laser detecting sets (36 installed, 3 spares); thirty-nine (39) AN/APX-123 or AN/APX-123A common transponders (36 installed, 3 spares); thirty-nine (39) IDM-401 Improved Data Modems (36 new, 3 spares); six (6) Link-16 terminals; thirty-nine (39) Improved Countermeasure Dispensing System (ICMD) (36 installed, 3 spares); thirty-nine (39) AN/ARN-149 (V)3 automatic direction finders (36 installed, 3 spares); thirty-nine (39) Doppler ASN-157 Doppler radar velocity sensors (36 installed, 3 spares); thirty-nine (39) AN/APN-209 radar altimeters (36 installed, 3 spares); thirty-nine (39) AN/ARN-153 Tactical Air Navigation (TACAN) sets (36 installed, 3 spares); four (4) TACAN ground stations; thirty-six (36) Very High Frequency Omni-Directional Range/Instrument Landing Systems (VOR/ILS) (36 installed, 3 new); twelve (12) AN/PYQ-10(C) simple key loader (12 new); thirty-six (36) M230E1 + M139 AWS automatic gun (36 new); eighty-one (81) M261 rocket launchers (72 new, 9 spares); seventy-eight (78) M299 missile launchers (72 new, 6 spares); fifty-three (53) Stinger Air-to-Air launchers (53 new); twenty-nine (29) Stinger Captive Flight Trainers (CFT) (29 new); eight (8) Stinger Aerial Handling Trainers (AHT) (8 new); five thousand two hundred sixteen (5,216) 2.75-inch rockets (3,896 new, 1,320 optional); ninety-three thousand (93,000) 30mm rounds (65,500 new, 27,500 optional); secure voice radios; training devices; communication systems; helmets; simulators; generators; transportation and organization equipment; spare and repair parts; support equipment; tools and test equipment; technical data and publications; personnel training and training equipment; U.S. Government and contractor technical assistance, technical and logistics support services; and other related elements of logistics support. The estimated cost is $4.25 billion...

Morocco – AH-64E Helicopters | The Official Home of the Defense Security Cooperation Agency

www.dsca.mil

Impressive acquisition for your country @Moro , I read the same news yesterday , but in Spanish, so I didn´t finally posted it.

I hope everything is going well with you neighbour.

 

[Moro]

Moroccan-Saudi talks include industrial collaboration

Ben Vogel, London - Jane's Defence Industry
04 December 2019
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Morocco and Saudi Arabia have discussed closer defence-industrial co-operation within the framework of their existing military relationship, Moroccan state-run news agency MAP reported on 4 December.
According to MAP, participants in the second meeting of the Moroccan-Saudi Military Joint Commission discussed “areas of common interest”, including efforts to improve interoperability between the two countries’ armed forces. Officials also pledged to continue “co-operation activities” in 2020.
Under a military and technical co-operation agreement, signed in December 2015, the two countries committed to co-operate on training, industrial development, logistical support and other services. In particular, Saudi Arabia agreed to provide USD22 billion for Morocco to develop a domestic defence industry, although no further developments have been publicised since then.

Janes | Latest defence and security news

Janes | The latest defence and security news from Janes - the trusted source for defence intelligence

www.janes.com

 

[Kaiserschlacht]

A very tragic news coming from Niger. A Niger army post in Inates came under a terrorist attack,heavy firefights occured,resulting in the death of at least 70 Niger soldiers. 57 terrorists were also reportedly killed.

 

[BravoZulu]

Nigeria:
The Nigerian Navy will be getting a new tank landing ship from Damen Shipyards in May 2020, with the keel laid on Monday during a ceremony at Damen’s shipyard in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, laid the keel of the Landing Ship Tank (LST 100) at Damen Shipyards Sharjah in the UAE.

The new vessel will replace the landing ships NNS Ambe and NNS Ofiom, which were decommissioned ten years ago. They were Type 502 amphibious vessels built by Howaldtswerke-Deutsche Werft (HDW) in Germany in 1978.

https://www.defenceweb.co.za/featured/nigerian-navy-lays-keel-of-new-tank-landing-ship/

 

[BravoZulu]

Algeria:
Algeria has signed a contract for the acquisition of 14 Su-57 stealth fighters and becomes the first customer to whom the manufacturer Sukhoi will export this flagship of Russian combat aviation.

The Algerian air force has also signed two other contracts for 14 Su-34 fighter bomber/strike aircraft and 14 Su-35 air defence fighters. An option for two other squadrons of 14 aircraft for each type of aircraft was also signed to offset the natural withdrawal of aircraft from the Air Force fleet in the future.

The contract should be completed by 2025, by this deadline the Algerian army will deploy two squadrons of Su-30MKA, one of Su-57, one of Su-35 and one of Mig-29M2 for fighter/strike, two squadrons of modernised Su-24 and one of Su-34 for the bomber fleet. The transformation of the pilots will be done with the Yak-130.
https://www.menadefense.net/algerie...bJUWijKmbY-IphWZTcPHE9ALhJ30D1yEnHq9ue-_7EWQg

 

[Kaiserschlacht]

A very tragic news coming from Niger. A Niger army post in Inates came under a terrorist attack,heavy firefights occured,resulting in the death of at least 70 Niger soldiers. 57 terrorists were also reportedly killed.

View attachment 197604

Once again,this country pays a heavy toll in the fight against terrorism,RIP.

Niger says 89 soldiers killed in attack by extremists

https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/africa/niger-says-89-soldiers-killed-in-attack-by-extremists/2020/01/13/37594950-35eb-11ea-a1ff-c48c1d59a4a1_story.html

 

[Moro]

Morocco: Two French defense companies get €400m contracts
January 23, 2020 | Filed underBusiness,News,Zoom | Posted by Hafid El Fassy


Morocco has awarded two contracts worth €400 million to two French defense companies, French media La Tribune reported, adding that the official announcement will be made during President Emmanuel Macron’s planned visit to the kingdom in February.
Nexter, a state-owned weapon manufacturer will, under a first deal valued at €200 million, supply an artillery systems set up on Caesar truck (€170 million) and ammunition for a price tag put at €30 million.
The second deal involves MBDA, a European missile manufacturer which according to the French media, sold to the kingdom in 2019 VL-Mica ground missiles for a value of €200 million.
The two contracts have been kept secret but are set to be announced during 12-13 Feb visit of President Macron to Rabat.
Also in the pipeline, Naval Group, a major French defense contractor, will set up a vessel maintenance workshop at Casablanca port.
Morocco is reportedly mulling plans to acquire submarines and has begun consultations with KTMS, Navantia, Naval Group, all naval vessels constructors.
France used to be one of the North African country’s main defense equipment supplier but Rabat recently developed a taste for US defense knowhow and hardware.
Military deals between the kingdom and France between 2008 and 2018 amount to €1.8 billion. The biggest contracts were signed in 2003 (€874.3 million) and 2013 (€584.9 million).

Morocco: Two French defense companies get €400m contracts – Medafrica Times

medafricatimes.com