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Morocco increases its defence budget to $13bn

October 21, 2024 at 1:36 pm

Moroccan forces during a military exercise on 18 June 2021 [FADEL SENNA/AFP/Getty Images]

Morocco has once again raised its defence budget to 133 billion dirhams ($13 billion), according to the draft budget law for 2025. This increase is intended to finance the acquisition and maintenance of Royal Armed Forces equipment and strengthen the national defence industry sector.

Article 39 of the draft law stipulates the allocation of 133.453 billion dirhams to the Minister Delegate to the Head of Government in charge of National Defence Administration, from the appropriations allocated for 2026, to cover the expenses of purchasing and maintaining military equipment and developing the defence industry.

The defence budget for 2024 was set at 124 billion dirhams ($12.5 billion).

This measure is part of Morocco’s strategy to boost local defence manufacturing.

Morocco also announced an increase in the Royal Armed Forces’ salaries.

Morocco is expected to record a budget deficit of about 63.5 billion dirhams ($6 billion) next year.

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