Morocco to receive Spanish Navantia patrol vessel before August

Spanish shipbuilder Navantia is expected to deliver an «Avante 1800» offshore patrol vessel to Morocco before August, marking the first deal of its kind between the two sides in nearly 40 years. The vessel is currently undergoing sea trials in Cádiz and is scheduled to be handed over in July.

According to Spanish media reports, the patrol vessel will be delivered without armaments, with Morocco set to equip it based on its military requirements. The ship measures 87 meters in length, can accommodate a crew of 60, and was designed for maritime surveillance missions, territorial waters protection, and long-range patrol operations.

The deal is valued at around €130 million, while Banco Santander has granted Morocco a €95 million loan to finance the project. The agreement also includes technical and logistical support, as well as training for members of the Royal Moroccan Navy in Spain.

The agreement comes as Morocco continues to strengthen its military capabilities, particularly at sea, amid rising defense spending. According to a report by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, Morocco’s military expenditure reached approximately $6.3 billion in 2025, up 6.6 percent compared to the previous year.

Morocco is also studying the acquisition of three submarines starting in 2027, with South Korea’s Hanwha Ocean KSS-3 and France’s Naval Group Scorpène among the leading options under consideration.